Spain: Apricot lose much profitability in the next two years

The campaign of stone fruit began with below average prices of other campaigns, although slightly above the 2014 campaign.

Santiago Vazquez, the Spanish company Vega of Cieza, is relieved that at least the markets have absorbed the volumes soon start to the season thanks to strong consumption and not overpriced. “Now the concurrence of different origins as France, Italy, Greece, etc., have led to a price adjustment downward has mainly affected the nectarine and peach, plum but also is starting to get complicated right now” explains

According to the producer and exporter, “the Paraguayan prices have rebounded slightly after four weeks of falls”, although it is expected that these are short-term price hikes before the start of the campaign late Catalonia and Aragon. It is quite likely that the trend of prices for this product is not upward in the coming years as even greater overall volumes are expected as a result of the large tracts of new plantations that have not yet reached peak production.

Spanish apricots are also traded lower as a result of competition from other countries, and low price of substitute products within the family of stone fruits. ”

In view of the large amount of apricot that has been planted in Murcia, Lleida, Aragon and Valencia, and “the coming of the road”, it is expected that in two years, when young plantations now be fruit- marketing this product give an important turn in which, for many operators, it might not be so profitable it has been. Since the sector should consider an adjustment of volumes to avoid that situation and measures to stimulate fresh consumption.

If the EU does not act by the end of campaign can be black

“All markets have noticed the absence of Russia, if not directly, indirectly, all European core markets by the massive reception of products previously destined to this market, and whose pressure finally make a dent in chains supermarket “, Santiago, who worked with Russia before the veto applied explains.

“We still have two months of the campaign of stone fruit and ahead will not be easy if the EU does not intervene with emergency measures to prevent a disaster like last year,” the producer and exporter.

La Vega de Cieza