The horticultural export campaign is about to start in the greenhouses of Almeria, depending, once again, on the weather. Although autumn has already begun, the temperatures recorded in the Spanish southeast are quite high for the time of year. This is also the case in the main destination for Almeria's vegetables: Europe, where there has been a cool and rainy summer, but the lack of cold at this time has made it possible to extend some of the local productions.
"European chains are showing great interest in starting with Almeria's tomatoes, but due to the temperatures there is still not enough production with the optimal conditions for export. A lot of round and plum tomatoes remain in the domestic market, because they have a very short shelf life," says Virginia Artero Antolin, Nationwide's sales manager.
"Our goal was to start exporting tomatoes to the UK earlier and come to Almeria, where we are already loading other products, but it is not possible. We have done a test shipping tomatoes to England and it has not met our expectations, because the product's shelf life has not been long enough," she says. "And we need tomatoes with a longer shelf life, almost like a winter tomato, both because of the necessary days of transit and the distribution time."
The fact is that heat is an important factor that acts as a catalyst not only throughout the growth cycle of the plant and the vegetable, but also during the post-harvest. In fact, as Virginia says, problems have been reported with the shelf life of other exported products, such as cucumbers.
"At this time, the chains and we are trying to load earlier here in Almeria, because producers are also trying to start the campaign earlier, but sometimes this entails fighting against the nature of the product itself. It is very hot. Just a few days ago, temperatures still reached 30 degrees, almost like in May/June," says the sales manager. "For now, there is neither the right quantity nor quality. However, the export campaign may be brought forward a little this year to week 43, while it is normal for it to start in mid-November," said Virginia.
Meanwhile, Almeria's zucchini is feeling the impact of the current weather conditions not only at origin, but also, and more markedly, at destination. "All countries have their own productions right now because it is not cold yet in Europe, anywhere from the United Kingdom to Croatia or Poland. By now, these countries would have normally stopped being able to produce and we would be shipping Almeria's production, but producers currently have nowhere to sell it."
As for eggplant and cucumber, they are already being exported and promotions have already started to be carried out. These have helped boost their sales and, in the case of eggplant, also their prices, which recorded a considerable increase a couple of weeks ago at the beginning of the export campaign, in the face of shortages in the supply from other origins.
"In the UK, we will start shipping heavier loads at the end of this month, because that is when the programs start and when the Netherlands is already finishing its campaign, although this year it is lasting a little longer. At this time, Almeria actually already has enough zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper and cucumber to be able to supply," says Virginia.
The United Kingdom is indeed Nationwide's main export destination, but not the only one. The company has sales offices in different parts of Europe, from where it distributes fruit and vegetables throughout the continent. "In the last 3 years, we have grown by 60% and we are increasingly diversifying and expanding our activity in other destinations. Moreover, we have just opened new facilities with more than 3,000 m², which will allow us to work better with our growers and provide a better service to customers in El Ejido."
Nationwide is present as an exhibitor at Fruit Attraction, on October 5, 6 and 7, at stand 9 A01 C in Hall 9.
For more information:
Virginia Artero
Nationwide Produce PLC
T: +34 950 483 026
[email protected]
www.nationwideproduce.com