The vegetable season got off to a bad start in the Spanish region of Murcia for products such as broccoli, artichoke and zucchini, with low prices due to a greater supply than expected in several European destinations (that's the case for broccoli), as well as in higher altitude areas in Spain.
© Soltir
"October and November have been tough; however, in December, production in Spain has been regulated by the early arrival of cold weather, and prices have improved," says Ángel García Izquierdo, Sales Director of Soltir, a company devoted to the marketing and distribution of fruit and vegetables. "It's worth recalling that broccoli prices are subject to ups and downs, especially if production in the free market rises."
There has been an increase in the amount of orders in the weeks leading up to Christmas, but according to García Izquierdo, "the market isn't as lively as in other years. We had planned our production with the usual demand for this period as reference, but consumption isn't reaching the expected levels."
© Soltir
Nonetheless, Soltir's Sales Director highlights the yields achieved by his zucchini growing partners, as the crop continues to gain ground in Murcia. "In recent years, zucchini production has been growing a lot in the greenhouses of Cartagena. Growers are betting more on this product because of its profitability as an alternative to peppers," says García Izquierdo. "It has gone from being an open ground product in October and November to a greenhouse crop from October to April."
"About seven years ago, the varieties planted were not as productive, and zucchinis grew large and had a dark skin; however, in recent years, seed companies have been doing a great job in having the crop adapt to Murcia's conditions, while remaining in line with market demand. We are now producing thinner, lighter green varieties," says García Izquierdo. "It is clear that we cannot compare the zucchini acreage in Almeria with that of Murcia, but it's still on the rise."
For more information:
Ángel García Izquierdo
Soltir
Tel.: +34 968 334 800
San Javier-Murcia motorway, km 22.
30592 San Cayetano, Murcia. Spain
[email protected]
www.soltir.com
