Portuguese apple exports started a few weeks ago, despite strong sales in the domestic market. Although Portugal is not known for exporting large volumes of apples, it grows certain varieties that are highly appreciated for their unique characteristics, as is the case of the Gala.
"We are currently in the middle of harvesting in Portugal, where we expect to have between 5 and 7% more fruit than last season," said João Juma, Export Manager of United Growers, based in Lisbon. "The quality of the fruit this year is phenomenal; the color is outstanding," he said.
"The Portuguese market is paying very good prices for the apples this year, so exports, with which we started about three weeks ago, are a little less interesting compared to the same period last year. However we expect them to increase in the coming weeks, in anticipation of a good year for exports, since, with the exception of Spain, there is less production available in Europe, especially in Poland," he said. "Portuguese apple exports could grow this year."
"We hope to achieve the development of our brand in markets such as Colombia, Singapore, Malaysia or India, and we are working on phytosanitary matters to be able to get started in new markets, such as Peru and Ecuador. I think we could have good business opportunities in these countries. In the Middle East, our brand has already scored a good reputation and demand, although competition with Moldova, Serbia and Turkey in terms of prices makes things harder," he says.
United Growers is specialized in the Gala variety, which it labels under the Queen Portugala label. According to João Juma, "the product is the result of the selection of the best Gala apples in Portugal. With this brand, we offer fruit of outstanding quality to those customers who appreciate it. Our Gala is highly demanded because it is striped and has a more intense red color." There are other countries in Europe that produce Gala, but theirs doesn't have the same color, which develops thanks to our proximity to the sea and the thermal contrast between day and night."
"Our growth is always based on delivering high quality, not on price competitiveness. We offer the best we have in Portugal. In the off-season months, and in order to ensure a continuity of service, we import apples from other origins, such as Serbia and Ukraine," said João.
United Growers will be exhibiting at the next edition of Fruit Attraction at IFEMA, Madrid, from October 3 to 5, in Hall 8, stand 8E00A.
For more information:
João Juma
United Growers Lda
Avenida de Berna 3, 1D
1050-036 Lisboa, Portugal.
T: +351 21 0935 261
M: +351 910 645 600
[email protected]
www.portugalapples.com
www.unitedgrowers.pt