The sector will have a real map of stone fruit production in Spain

The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to the sector to make available to you the data that this CAP campaign has been obtained, for the first time, from the declarations of the farmers in relation to the surfaces dedicated to produce fruit in the set of Spain, plot by plot, and with varietal information and year of planting.

The general director of Producciones y Mercados Agrarios, Esperanza Orellana, has chaired the meeting with the sector to analyze the progress of the 2019 summer fruit campaign. A meeting with which responds to the commitment of the Ministry with the stone fruit sector, to carry out a timely monitoring of the development of the campaigns.

As it was stated in the meeting, according to the forecasts of the Progress of Surfaces and Productions of the Ministry, corresponding to the month of May, the production of stone fruit in the absence of nectarine data, is estimated at 1,351,499 t, a 4% below the average of the last 5 campaigns, and 1% lower than the one obtained in 2018.

During the analysis of the campaign it has been found that, despite a complicated start, especially due to the lack of demand in foreign and national markets, it has returned to regular quotations for this period, with a smooth commercialization rate, at a general level.

It has also become evident, on the part of the representatives of the sector, the existence of problems in the commercialization of some products due to the excess of small and medium sizes, which are stressing the markets and in particular, the prices that the farmers perceive.

In relation to the demands of some sectoral representatives regarding possible unfair practices to purchases from farmers, the director of AICA has explained the controls that are being carried out in the summer fruit campaign and how inspections have been carried out in all the producing regions. In this line, it has encouraged the sector to denounce the knowledge of possible breaches of the Law of the Chain.

The Bureau has highlighted the need to make progress in improving the structure of production and the organization of the sector, in order to better respond to the challenges that arise in the successive campaigns. In particular, to respond to market demand (domestic and export), with the varieties and qualities that consumers demand.

SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY

In this regard, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has given its support and has expressed its willingness to work for the improvement of the sector. On the one hand, and immediately, making available to the sector as of next month, the data that this CAP campaign has obtained, for the first time, from the declarations of the farmers in relation to the areas dedicated to produce fruit in the whole of Spain, plot by plot, and with varietal information and year of planting.

This information, together with the knowledge of the preferences of the consumers, should allow to plan and make decisions in relation to the production and commercialization of the fruit.

Likewise, the general director has transmitted the Ministry’s offer to re-examine the Sweet Fruit Measures Plan, approved in 2018, in order to reinforce those measures that contribute to guarantee a structural improvement and stability in the sector and in the contributions.

The fundamental role of the Producer Organizations and their Associations has also been remembered, not only as an instrument for the improvement of production and marketing planning, but also as a tool for the management and prevention of situations of imbalance in the markets of some products, with significant community funding.

Along with the analysis of stone fruit, the situation of other summer fruits such as melon and watermelon, products that share markets and calendars, where, according to the Ministry’s forecasts, a reduction in the surface of melon and stability in the production of watermelon.

Regarding these products, despite the good performance of Spanish sales to the EU and at the request of the sector, the Ministry is committed to improving the monitoring and information available on imports to the Union from third countries.