The fall-winter season for brassica and lettuce got underway in the Spanish Murcia Region in the second week of October. The start of the season has so far been marked by a clean transition between the central and northern European productions and the Spanish one, with no overlap and very smooth sales, especially in the case of broccoli.
"Although we haven't started with broccoli prices as high as those recorded at the beginning of last season, they are at the right levels. Moreover, sales are very smooth thanks to sustained demand and the high quality of the production so far," says Jesús Abenza, Managing Director of Alimer, a cooperative based in Lorca, Murcia.
"We are happy because our production is not overlapping with the last batches from the countries we supply, and this is also not expected to happen in other countries where we will soon start shipping. In November we will be supplying almost all European countries, with the exception of the United Kingdom, where we will start a little later," says Abenza. "In general, we are so far having a good supply schedule."
According to the leader of this cooperative, there has also been a smooth transition to the Spanish production in the case of lettuce, even though this crop is more subject to speculation.
Although the harvest has been carried out quickly so far thanks to the mild temperatures, the current rains have caused temperatures to become cooler at night and the harvest is being interrupted from time to time. With more rain forecast, it remains to be seen how the crops will be affected.
"Last year, we managed to deliver a high quality product to the market; something that depends mainly on the weather. If the conditions remain favorable, we should be able to continue selling at reasonable prices also this season. The truth is that we continue to invest in variety renewal and in improving cultivation techniques and mechanizing the harvests to be able to supply a product with a longer shelf life," says Abenza.
For more information:
Jesús Abenza
Alimer S.Coop.
Camino de Villaespesa, s/n. Lorca. Spain
Tel.: +34 968 460 812
[email protected]
www.alimer.es