While Spain in general has seen a 20% increase in its apple production for the 2023/2024 season, the province of Girona is supplying about 15% less due to the impact of drought and the limited availability of water for irrigation. The prices of Spanish apples are benefitting from the widespread drop in the production in other European countries.
"Apple sales are doing well this season, with prices about 10 cents higher than last season," says Llorenç Frigola, manager of the Girona-based company Agroalimanetira Mas Saulot. "After 3 years of losing money, these prices are allowing the sector to start covering its production costs, which have been rising significantly over the last 4 seasons, especially labor costs, which will continue to rise. We therefore hope that prices will continue to increase accordingly in the coming seasons."
According to Frigola, despite the more expensive prices, apple consumption remains high, as apples are still one of the most affordable fruits on the shelves. "Most fruits and vegetables have suffered production declines this year and their prices have risen quite a bit," he says.
The water shortage is undoubtedly the main threat to apple production in Girona, as drought has led the public administration there to limit its use for agriculture. "I don't think this problem is being managed well by the Catalan government, which has no alternative plans to provide us with enough water to irrigate our fields. It's a shame," says the producer. "There is a lot of uncertainty about how we will be able to tackle this situation."
At this time, the production period of Royal Gala apples has practically come to a close, while supermarket chains continue to request a steady supply of red apples, Golden, Granny Smith, etc.
"New varieties such as the Tutti, which we are implementing in the framework of the international genetic improvement program of IRTA, Fruit Futur and New Zealand Plant & Food Research to address the challenges of climate change, are standing out positively in the market. Turners and Growers (T&G) is the global licensee. Two new varieties aiming to diversify the supply in Catalonia, one early and one late, will be presented at Fruit Logistica.
For more information:
Agroalimanetira Mas Saulot S.L.
Carretera De Fontanilles Mas Saulot s/n
17256. Palau Sator. Girona. Spain
[email protected]