Production volumes are going back to normal in this year's Mollar de Elche pomegranate campaign, although due to the impact of the weather, small sizes predominate and there will be around 30% more second class fruit and fruit for industrial processing.
"The harvest has a good taste quality, but due to the hot summer and autumn, as well as the prolonged drought, there is also an abundance of small sizes, similarly to what has happened with other fruits, such as citrus or kakis. There has also been a significant amount of sunburned fruit that cannot be marketed as first class," said Susi Bonet, from the commercial department of the Cambayas cooperative, based in Elche.
The campaign started this month, and the harvest's official kickoff was organized by the Regulatory Council of the PDO Granada Mollar de Elche organized last week. "The variety's arrival was eagerly anticipated by the market, even though pomegranates from many origins are currently available, both in Spain and other Mediterranean countries, such as Turkey or Egypt, which offer more competitive prices," says Susi Bonet.
"Therefore, sales are rather slow at the moment," she says. "While supermarkets are more flexible in a market dominated by small calibers, traditional wholesale markets are more reticent. Large pomegranates are scarce this year and are logically more expensive, but in general, prices are tight.
Cambayas produces and markets around 5 million kilos of Mollar de Elche pomegranates per year, with availability up until the end of January, 2 million kilos of Valencian pomegranates and around 2 million kilos of early and red Acco, as well as Wonderful, to a lesser extent.
For more information:
Susi Bonet
CAMBAYAS COOP.V
T +34 966637588
susi@cambayas.com
www.cambayas.com