According to an initial estimate, both crops tend to maintain or even reduce their area by 4% and 5%, respectively. On the other hand, the area devoted to cucumber and zucchini will increase by around 10%.
According to ASAJA-Almeria, "According to a study of the greenhouse production area that was carried out at the beginning of the 2023/2024 campaign, there will be a 10-day delay in pepper and tomato crops. This is mainly due to the price that late peppers achieved in the last season and the higher incidence of viruses in these first weeks."
"In any case, the area under cultivation remains stable. There are only variations in the plantations of each of these products."
"We have detected an unusual increase in extra-early cucumber and zucchini crops. The area devoted to cucumber production this coming winter will increase by 10% and that devoted to zucchini by 8%. Meanwhile, the area devoted to producing eggplant remains stable, so no great variations are expected compared to past campaigns."
"Based on this initial data, ASAJA-Almería expects 12,363 hectares will be devoted to producing peppers. The area devoted to growing the Palermo variety continues to grow, but, as in previous campaigns, the California variety will predominate. Tomato continues to be the second most produced greenhouse crop and, according to a first estimate, 8,969 hectares will be devoted to producing tomatoes, mainly branch and pear tomatoes."
"The horticultural products with the biggest surface growth are Almeria's cucumber, with an area of 6,210 hectares, and, in second place, the zucchini, with 8,227 hectares. Eggplant production will remain at 2,270 hectares."
Adoración Blanque, president of ASAJA-Almería, insisted that "the sector as a whole, including farmers and marketing centers, must plan their production according to the demands of the markets." ASAJA Almeria also emphasizes the importance of economic sustainability for the development of the sector, which starts from obtaining profitable prices for the farmer.
One of the factors to take into account at the start of this new campaign is the phytosanitary situation of the crops. "Prevention measures against viruses and pests are more necessary than ever because of the presence of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus and the 'new thrip.'"
For more information:
ASAJA-Almería
https://asajaalmeria.org