"We are satisfied with how the Spring garlic harvest has gone. There have been no diseases, good volumes, and we have managed to address the various climatic situations, like drought," explains Bartolomé, of the company Ajos Cuelgamures. Nevertheless, this Zamora-based firm has noticed that, in recent days, trade "has been slowing down and now most companies are waiting to see what happens."
Yes, there have been transactions and deals have been closed, affirms Bartolomé, but these have been "under exceptional circumstances." Only those producers with little or no storage capacity have been forced to sell their goods to prevent them from spoiling. "The prices that have been reported, if true, may have a negative impact for the rest of the sector," added Bartolomé.
Ajos Cuelgamures has seen an increase in its production volume compared to the previous year, as the good results of the previous campaign encouraged them to plant a few more hectares. "We can produce about 700 tonnes of garlic per year," he pointed out. This week, they will finish harvesting the Spring variety and in early July they will start with the Spanish white garlic. "We are not worried about having stored most of the early harvest; in our facilities, the product can be kept in good condition for a long time," assures Bartolomé.
Also, on the issue of China's very active return to the international market, Bartolomé says that "it seems that after a year with clearly unfavourable climatic conditions and growers planting more to make up for it, now all points to them coming back with an even greater production."
More information:
Daniel Bartolomé
Ajos Cuelgamures
Tel. +34 605500404