Pedro García: “The Asian market in general is very interesting for the Valle del Jerte Cooperative Association”

The Export Director of the Valle del Jerte Cooperative Association, Pedro García Mesías, has given an interview to fruitlogistica.com where he answers several questions, such as the founding of this group, the objectives of this, the main problems to which he has had to face this sector or the current importance of the cherry in the markets.

FruitLogítica- How have you faced the protocol agreement for Spanish stone fruit in China?

Pedro García.– From the first moment we have firmly committed ourselves to explore this path that has been opened to us. We are producers of plum Queen Claudia, which is possibly one of the most prized varieties of plum and has had a great reception by the Chinese market. We believe that this first export campaign to the Chinese market has been a resounding success and we face the next season with growth expectations.

F.L.- In which Asian markets do you have special interest and / or presence?

P.G.- The Asian market in general is very interesting for us. Specifically, we work extensively with Hong Kong, Malaysia and China while we are in constant contact with Indonesian, Thai, Korean or Japanese companies exploring different ways of collaboration. Hence, every year we exhibit at the ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA fair.

F.L.- And its main destination markets in Europe?

P.G.- Europe continues to be our export market par excellence. We work with the main distribution chains, importers and wholesalers of almost all European countries highlighting usual sales to: Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Austria, Poland or Lithuania , among other destinations.

In the group they have a range of large basic products: raspberries, blackberries, blackberries, blueberries, as well as cherries.

F.L.- The stone fruit is very important for you. However, find in your portfolio other products that also stand out and that are booming in terms of production, such as raspberries when and to which markets do you export raspberries from your group? Is it a crop that presents constant growth in hectares?

P.G.- The Valle del Jerte Cooperative Association has a wide range of products. In this area, the raspberry has been produced for 60 years; In recent times we are betting on other crops of berries such as blackberries and blueberries.

FL- Entering into one of the topics that most talked about in Spain in recent months, how have affected the water shortage in 2017 and how they face their crops? ?

P.G.- It is true that 2017 has been a very hard year for the field due to the lack of water we have had. We have fortunately had a high quality production in all our products, we may have suffered a little at the end of the summer and during the autumn, which has caused a decrease in the volume and size of our chestnuts but, in general, we have escaped a lot all right . Do not forget that the cultivation of our cherry trees is rainfed in extensive, so we do not have as much dependence on irrigation as other producing areas.

F.L.- And taking stock of your presence in FRUIT LOGISTICA, how many years have you been attending and what do you achieve with your participation?

P.G.- We have been attending FRUIT LOGISTICA since its inception, it is a key fair for our sector. In it every year we have the opportunity to talk with all our customers and also take advantage of the opportunity to meet new potential customers.

Source: Fruit Logística.

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