The greenhouse fruit and vegetable production of the province of Almeria consists of six main crops: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, courgettes, aubergines and watermelons. Melons and green beans, which enjoyed a significant share in the past, have been declining for years, so analysts now refer to a "six plus two crops" model.
A Professor in Intensive Horticulture of the University of Almeria raised the question during the summer course "SmartBioHouses: business trends in the agro-food sector", wondering whether this trend is sustainable in the long term.
Cost effectiveness
The figures presented by the university professor, based on official data from the provincial delegation of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, reveal a gradual loss of profitability affecting the province's main crop: tomatoes.
As for peppers, the second biggest crop in the province in terms of production, statistics show that, despite having beaten the record in total production and yield per square metre last year, the average income is still of five Euro per square metre. Meanwhile, last season, Almeria's cucumber growers obtained the worst average prices of the last ten years: 40 cents per kilo, while the production was not exceptionally greater than that of previous years.
New crops
Faced with this gradual fall in the products' profit margins, subtropical crops (papayas, mangoes and avocados) are called to play an important role in the productive diversification of the province's horticultural sector. The proximity to the European markets and the interesting commercial possibilities of these fruits are the main motivations for the Spanish south east to expand its product portfolio. Fresh cut products stand out as a good alternative to add value to the product. During the summer courses, the marketing of organic gazpachos by the company Biosabor was presented as a case of success in the sector.
Source: lavozdealmeria.es