In Almeria, the Spanish greenhouse season is in full swing. "We're loading hefty volumes of bell peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, and eggplants every week," says Dutchman Paul van Groningen, who works for the Spanish company Greenfood Iberica. "Most for the Scandinavian market, but a good part for Germany. And some for France, Austria, and the Netherlands, with a little for the United Kingdom."
"It's a strange season. Apart from a few days of rain, there's always enough product available. There's no overproduction, but neither are there shortages. It's been hard to make margins so far. This year, even more so than in other years, it seems there are two separate worlds. One with grower and auction prices in Almeria, and another, where different prices are being paid in the sales countries," Paul continues.
"You notice and hear from customers that trade is somewhat lacking. Prices increase nicely for a day or two and then drop again. Spanish growers' prices, however, don't fall. Add the sharply increased transportation prices from Spain to the north, and it's understandably difficult to make money. Nevertheless, we remain positive and keep working on rolling out our Daily Greens brand. We're reaching more and more markets with this, and we did gain some new clients this year."
"We don't see production changing significantly in the next two weeks. The weather's good but chilly, so the crops are growing but not too fast. Prices should climb slightly, but not extremely. Hopefully, the second part of the season will be somewhat better, and the market and prices will pick up a bit," Paul concludes.
For more information:
Paul van Groningen
GreenFood Iberica
C/Avda.Catalunya,
33-35 I 17253 Mont-ras (Girona)
Catalonia, Spain
Tel: +34 (0) 972 667 216
Email: paul@greenfoodiberica.es
Website: www.greenfoodiberica.es