The Portuguese walnut season is in full swing at this time. According to Sebastião Lorena, head of sales and marketing: “Our walnut season normally starts at the end of September with the harvest of the earlier varieties and can go until April, marking the end of the sales season. We are now in the middle of the harvest and going at full speed. This year we expect smaller sizes and good quality. In Portugal there have been big investments in walnuts and almonds that are now reaching their productive years. As a result, the production in Portugal is expected to be higher this year, a tendency that will continue for the next years.”
Lorena believes that the walnuts of Portugal will continue to do well in the European market specifically. “Portugal’s main export markets are European countries such as Spain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. Due to our proximity, delivery times, sustainability practices and good quality we can differentiate ourselves from other countries with the same harvest period and be a prime choice for the European market.”
As inflation hits consumers, demand for walnuts slows down. Lorena does expect they’ll be able to overcome this challenge in the end: “The market uncertainty and speculation have been challenging for walnut exporters, as well as the lowering of sales due to the inflation. Then there’s the energy crisis and the aggressive prices practiced by other countries such as the US and China. With good quality products and a good relationship with our clients, based on trust and efficiency, we expect to overcome this difficult times and find our place in the market.”
What will happen next for the Portuguese walnuts? The holiday season will be rather important for the season’s success: “Due to the uncertainty of the market it can be difficult to predict what will happen in the near future. However, we do expect that with the Christmas season arriving the next three months will increase the inshell sales and consumption.” Lorena concludes.
For more information:
Sebastião Lorena
Nogam
Tel: + 351 266 096 401
Mobile: + 351 917 335 453
Email: Sebastiao.lorena@nogam.pt
www.nogam.pt