The cooperative Cuna de Platero continues to expand its services to be able to distribute its full range of berries for the longest possible time - all under its Global Berry Partner marketing model. This campaign, they have been working to offer blueberries all year round, as they are already doing with Adelita raspberries.
"In recent years, there had been an excess of strawberry plantings. In the current campaign, however, prices in January are already much better thanks to this factor," he affirms. "There has been a lot of planting without much planning in the past few campaigns, but I believe that the planning and reorganization is gradually getting better."
At this time, the European and Middle Eastern markets have access to strawberries from countries such as Egypt and Morocco, which compete strongly in terms of price; however, according to Juan Báñez, this is not an important obstacle.
"At the start of this Spanish strawberry campaign, the fruit has an excellent flavour as long as there are no issues caused by adverse weather, since the ripening is slower due to the lower temperatures and the volumes are more limited, and all this helps to introduce it in the markets with relative ease and much acceptance, even though there are cheaper strawberries from Egypt or Morocco," affirms Juan Báñez.
"We are developing varieties made by and for Huelva in the framework of the Fresas Nuevos Materiales program, in which other producers and nurseries also participate. This program has led to the creation of varieties such as the Primoris, Rábida and, most recently, the Rociera, which adapt very well to our climate, so they need few treatments and also have a very good flavour and excellent post-harvest properties. We are also still involved in research and innovation, testing new varieties in order to continue improving our range."
Juan Báñez believes that the Chinese market could become an interesting one for Huelva's berries. "It would be very interesting to open more commercial channels for the whole range of berries, especially in China." For example, Chile has the authorization to export to three Chinese provinces with a high purchasing power.
The cooperative mainly resorts to large distributors as a sales channel, and those, according to Juan Báñez, above all demand a quality service and good prices. "We need to go a step further if we want to differentiate ourselves." For this reason, the company is increasingly involved in social actions to promote the health and well-being of consumers; cooperating with the Spanish Heart Foundation, advertising the properties of berries to prevent cardiovascular diseases, promoting healthy lifestyles or organising Fresayunos, which are healthy breakfasts for children in schools, etc."
For more information:
Sergio Sainz (Export Manager)
Cuna de Platero
Camino de Montemayor, s/n. Moguer, Huelva. Spain
T: +34 959372125
M:+34 606828659
sergiosainz@cunadeplatero.com
www.cunadeplatero.com
Cuna de Platero expects to market approximately 46,000 tonnes of strawberries, over 2,000 tonnes of raspberries, 2,000 tonnes of blueberries and 150 tonnes of blackberries.
Strawberry campaign with better balance between supply and demand
The expansion of blueberry and raspberry crops has led to the decline of the strawberry acreage in Huelva since 2014. This year, the decline has reached almost 8%, and according to Juan Báñez, thanks to this product diversification, there is a better balance between supply and demand.
"In recent years, there had been an excess of strawberry plantings. In the current campaign, however, prices in January are already much better thanks to this factor," he affirms. "There has been a lot of planting without much planning in the past few campaigns, but I believe that the planning and reorganization is gradually getting better."
At this time, the European and Middle Eastern markets have access to strawberries from countries such as Egypt and Morocco, which compete strongly in terms of price; however, according to Juan Báñez, this is not an important obstacle.
"At the start of this Spanish strawberry campaign, the fruit has an excellent flavour as long as there are no issues caused by adverse weather, since the ripening is slower due to the lower temperatures and the volumes are more limited, and all this helps to introduce it in the markets with relative ease and much acceptance, even though there are cheaper strawberries from Egypt or Morocco," affirms Juan Báñez.
Spanish strawberries could gain market share in Europe with the Rociera variety
According to Juan Báñez, there is a major trend change in the sector, which is replacing the extra-early varieties for somewhat later varieties, but with a better flavour.
"We are developing varieties made by and for Huelva in the framework of the Fresas Nuevos Materiales program, in which other producers and nurseries also participate. This program has led to the creation of varieties such as the Primoris, Rábida and, most recently, the Rociera, which adapt very well to our climate, so they need few treatments and also have a very good flavour and excellent post-harvest properties. We are also still involved in research and innovation, testing new varieties in order to continue improving our range."
"The Rociera is the earliest, and although it is too early to know, the prospects for it are really good; it is a very good strawberry," points out Juan Báñez. "Spanish strawberries are expected to gain market share in Europe with the Rociera variety."
"The Spanish authorities must work hard to open the Chinese market"
Cuna de Platero markets its strawberries and berries mainly in France, Germany, the Nordic countries and the United Kingdom, where it exports most of the raspberries. "We are conducting tests in the Middle Eastern and Asian markets, although due to the long distances, we believe that reaching those destinations is more feasible for products like blueberries."
Juan Báñez believes that the Chinese market could become an interesting one for Huelva's berries. "It would be very interesting to open more commercial channels for the whole range of berries, especially in China." For example, Chile has the authorization to export to three Chinese provinces with a high purchasing power.
The cooperative mainly resorts to large distributors as a sales channel, and those, according to Juan Báñez, above all demand a quality service and good prices. "We need to go a step further if we want to differentiate ourselves." For this reason, the company is increasingly involved in social actions to promote the health and well-being of consumers; cooperating with the Spanish Heart Foundation, advertising the properties of berries to prevent cardiovascular diseases, promoting healthy lifestyles or organising Fresayunos, which are healthy breakfasts for children in schools, etc."
For more information:
Sergio Sainz (Export Manager)
Cuna de Platero
Camino de Montemayor, s/n. Moguer, Huelva. Spain
T: +34 959372125
M:+34 606828659
sergiosainz@cunadeplatero.com
www.cunadeplatero.com