The summer vegetable season in Spain has so far been marked by an insufficient supply of broccoli. More imports are now arriving from other European countries, such as the Netherlands, as the product's consumption in the summer period is increasing every year.
"As a result of climate change, temperatures are becoming increasingly higher in the areas where our broccoli is usually planted in the summer months; that is, in areas at altitudes above 1,000 meters," says Nacho Doménech, Managing Director of Murcian company Agromark.
"We are having many nights with temperatures not falling below 21 degrees due to heat waves, so yields are considerably lower. Costs are also higher and irrigation water consumption has doubled," he says. "The lack of profitability of the summer broccoli production is causing some growers to stop planting."
"Since there isn't enough production to meet the demand, we are importing broccoli from the Netherlands. In the coming years, the Spanish summer broccoli production will continue to fall due to the lack of profitability, and I believe that, unless we get varieties with greater heat and drought resistance, importing broccoli will remain the easiest and cheapest option to offer the best quality and service," says Nacho Doménech.
"At the moment, Dutch broccoli is the best option. We could also import it from the United Kingdom, but since Brexit, transport takes around seven days due to the extra bureaucracy, compared to the two-day journey time for Dutch produce," he says. "It is also worth recalling that Spain's broccoli consumption in summer continues to grow every year."
As far as cauliflower is concerned, its supply hasn't been as affected so far, although it is also being complemented with imports from the Netherlands.
For more information:
Nacho Doménech
O.P. Agromark, S.L
Casa Lugar Nuevo, 65.
30739 Torre de Pacheco
Murcia. Spain
Tel.: +31 968173201
[email protected]
www.agromark.es