Spanish season about to go into full swing

Thomas Bos from Thomasol Gestión S.L, is an agent, transport mediator and handles trade and commissions from all of the Spanish fruit and vegetable production areas.

According to the Dutchman, the damage in Spain from the heavy rainfall is in places very severe. "Lorca, Puerto Lumbreras, Cuevas del Almanzora and in the north of Pulpi are most affected. To the south of Lorca, 120-140 litres of rain per m² fell on Friday afternoon, this was in a two to three hour period."

The damage in especially big in the iceberg salad and broccoli plantations. The full extent of the damage won't be known for another 80-90 days when the crops are harvested. There will most likely be a big hole in the market from the end of November to mid December when these crops were due to be harvested.

The damage in the protected vegetable cultivation in Almeria and surrounding areas, is not expected to be so severe. A lot of rain fell between Aguilas and Mazarron where various tomato growers are situated."

Thomas has this week started with the export of the first greenhouse courgettes, Chinese vegetables and Spanish lemons. "The export has only just begun. The German retailers are claiming that the prices should be lower due to the start of the Spanish vegetable season, but this not the case because there is not that much Spanish produce on the market yet. The Spanish season is two or three weeks earlier than last year, but certainly not in full swing. The real volumes are expected in a couple of weeks."

As far as Bos can see there is not that much change in the Spanish greenhouse area this season. "In Almeria they are talking about a huge increase in the bell pepper area, which has been taken from tomatoes. Courgettes and aubergines remain pretty much the same quo area. I do expect a change in the open ground acreage. Last year the iceberg lettuce season went pretty well, but the broccoli market was bad. Last year Holland had broccoli available until week 48."

Thomas expects the economic situation in Spain will influence the fruit and veg exports. "I expect problems, especially in the transport sector. You don't notice the problems much in daily life, but they are always big problems lurking behind closed doors. What troubles this will cause for our sector remains to be seen. You notice that the banks ask to see the client files of the companies. When there is no guaranteed profit, there will be no finance offered and because of this you get a shift in the market."

Thomas in usually works with ´free growers´, who are not involved with packhouses and cooperatives. Last week Thomas, on invitation from Langfruit, visited the Floriade in Venlo, the Netherlands with fourteen Spanish growers from Valencia, Murcia and Almeria.

For more information:
Thomasol Gestion
Calle Venta de la Remuda 8
03560 El Campello-Alicante
Tel: 0034- 669 636 873
Fax: 0034- 965 632 791
[email protected]
www.thomasol.eu