Frigola admits the situation, but is not too concerned about it and believes that "it will pass." Also, Frigola highlights that the dependence on the domestic market is increasingly lower. This year, more than half of the PGI apples are being sold outside the domestic market. Specifically, six out of ten apples are shipped to a foreign destination, which is an increase of 14 percent compared to last year.
The export protocol
The growth of exports is being achieved in spite of the problems that Poma de Girona producers are having in the Border Inspection Post (BIP) of the Jonquera. Frigola points out that, in order to carry out safety checks, the fruit pallets have to be opened in order to check their quality.
As a result of this, and unlike what happens with French and Italian apples, the product arrives "disarranged. For the French and Italian products, the phytosanitary inspections are carried out telematically," he laments.
80 million tonnes this season
The president of the Regulatory Council of the PGI believes that this year's apple harvest campaign will be a good one. Sales are expected to increase, as apples in northern Europe have been affected by the late cold. This would entail a reduction in the harvest volume of countries like France or Poland, which Poma de Girona could profit from, given its more stable and safe climate near the sea.
Source: ACN
