This year's mandarin season is significantly ahead of schedule compared to last year and sales are very smooth. Meanwhile, table orange sales are more stagnant in Europe, although there's growing potential in markets in the Middle East and Central America.
"Demand for Spanish mandarins is currently higher than supply," says Alberto Ramírez, general manager of the GF Union group (Gustavo Ferrada and Gufresco). "The harvest of mandarins such as the Nadorcott has been carried out so far ahead of schedule that now there is very little supply available. Sales are going very well for all varieties in this second part of the season."
At the same time, mandarin imports from other origins continue to increase in Europe. "Morocco is producing very good fruit this year and is offering increasingly better packaging and presentations. Meanwhile, Turkey is growing and Egypt is investing more in its mandarin varieties," says Alberto Ramírez.
As far as oranges are concerned, according to the grower and exporter, "sales are currently much slower in the domestic market and Europe; however, we are finding interesting opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East in general, given that Egypt will only be able to supply Valencia oranges from now on, and we are recording good sales with our Lane Late oranges."
"For us, it's very important to continue diversifying our markets, and we see great opportunities in the Middle East, as well as in Central America, where we are already exporting oranges and apples to Guatemala and El Salvado thanks to their economic growth and investments," says Alberto Ramírez.
Based in the municipality of Borriana, in the Spanish province of Castellón, Gustavo Ferrada sells between 65 and 70 million tons of fresh fruit, mainly mandarins, and oranges, which are delivered to the domestic and export markets in a 50/50 split. Sales are carried out all year round, with fruit both from Spanish producers and from the Southern Hemisphere during the off-season. The marketing of fresh-cut fruit and juices via Gufresco, a company in the same group, is also on the rise. These products are sold mainly in Spain.
"Since we have our own juice division, we import some oranges from Egypt and Portugal. We also import table oranges from Argentina and South Africa to be able to continue supplying all year round. The demand for orange juice and other fruits, as well as fresh cut fruit, is higher in the summer months and we are growing every year both in Spain and in European countries, especially in France and Germany, both in supermarkets and in the Horeca channel, including airports."
For more information:
GF Union
Avda. Nuels 92.
12530 Borriana. Castellón. Spain
Tel.: +34 650969645
Tel.: +34 964 577130
sbroch@gufresco.com
www.gfuniongrupo.com