Spain: Huge pressure on prices of stone fruit

The campaign of stone fruit is in a general point of confusion, with an inordinate pressure prices down, which in just two weeks have fallen by between 30 and 50% depending on the type of product and preparation.

The campaign of stone fruit is in a general point of confusion, with an inordinate pressure prices down, which in just two weeks have fallen by between 30 and 50% depending on the type of product and preparation. They are words of Josep Presseguer, president of Fruits de Ponent, with around 55 to 65 million kilos has become the largest volume European stone fruit company.

“We have very favorable weather conditions throughout Europe that are providing us an excellent fruit quality and adequate volume. In addition, demand is high this season in those circumstances, ‘the rules’ tell us that prices should be higher, or at least right to earn a living, “he says.

Although playing an important role on the type of clothing that each trader may have, the stone fruit baskets are containers in which more has been pushed down. They have gone from originally paid 65 cents to around 44 cents, which is “a ruin for farmers”, according to the exporter.

Moreover, it appears that the uncertain business situation in Greece has led to the market being flooded with gifted fruit prices and, according to Josep Presseguer have caused the collapse of prices in the markets of Eastern Europe, “Although this does not explain everything, obviously,” he adds.

“We’ll see if we are facing a paradigm shift or is it temporary or speculative movements in a given time. We might find ourselves before a stage of restructuring of the sector that could eventually end up with a re-concentration of supply and the abandonment of the field for many farmers, “says Presseguer.

There are still pending meetings with the European Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture of Spain. “We hope that the exceptional measures by the effects of the Russian veto both stone fruit to other fruit that need to be extended.

Fruits de Ponent