Loquat prices are good this year. The first class ones have, in fact, exceeded 2 Euro per kilo at origin; however, mangoes and avocados, especially in the area of La Axarquía, have for some time been gaining ground on loquats in terms of acreage. Attracted by the demand for both fruits in the European market and higher prices, more and more producers are replacing their loquats with mangoes and avocados, at least according to the president of the cooperative Sayalonga, José Manuel López, who explains that in years such as this, when prices are turning out to be more stable, the trend appears to slow down. The first class fruit has reached a price at origin of 2.2 Euro per kilo, while the second class oscillates around 1.80 Euro per kilo. "Although avocados and mangoes need more water, their production costs are lower because they require less work and dedication," explains López, who for now refuses to give up loquat cultivation.
In the province, the loquat campaign traditionally starts in the area of Estepona and continues in La Axarquía.
In Estepona, the harvest usually kicks off in February, although this year due to the cold, it has been delayed to 1 March.
In La Axarquía, however, it usually starts in April and ends in May. This campaign, in municipalities like Torrox and Sayalonga, the high temperatures of recent weeks have advanced the start of the harvest campaign.
According to López, it is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of the production in the eastern region of Malaga will have been harvested by 1 May.
The Sayalonga cooperative does not sell the entire production, but most of it. In 2015, this figure reached 400,000 kilos. Almost everything goes to the domestic market (Andalusia, Madrid and Barcelona). Only 20 percent is intended for export.
While, according to López, the Institute of Subtropical Horticulture La Mayora is experimenting with new varieties to extend the campaign, the problem is that many producers are replacing the crop with other more profitable tropical crops.
Currently, the production of loquat in Malaga focuses on the golden nugget variety. The acreage in Malaga stands at around 275 hectares.
Source: diariosur.es
