With Accent
The Spanish fruit and vegetable sector is the main contributor to Spain’s agri‑food trade balance. Of the more than 75 billion euros exported in 2024, over 20 billion were generated by the fruit and vegetable sector. Exports continue to grow year after year, with an increase of more than 9% compared to the previous year. … Read more
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- ECA AGRI
Opinion Piece by Stephan Arens, Chair of Copa-Cogeca Oilseeds and Protein Crops Working Party Exactly one month ago, Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, presented the Commission’s Vision for the Future of Agriculture. Among the many measures announced, one in particular stood out for European protein crop producers: the renewed ambition to develop a … Read more
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Opinion Review by Álvaro Partida Lopez, Deputy Director Commercial & Communications of Partida Logistics, who reflects on the war between Russia and Ukraine and its consequences for the agri-food sector. The conflict that we are currently experiencing between Russia and Ukraine, for us, has hardly affected us. The few and complex import operations from Morocco … Read more
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StimBlue+: the potential of Namibian kelp to drive more resilient and sustainable agriculture
Anouk Bosma, Head of Marketing & Communications at Kelp Blue, explains how the regenerative cultivation of kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) in the Benguela Current enables the production of a high‑value organic biostimulant, reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers, and generates local employment in Lüderitz.
“At Clasol we want to become a global supplier for Europe”
Known for its citrus offering, Clasol is working to consolidate and expand new product categories: stone fruit, watermelon and berries. All with the goal of becoming a global supplier for European retail.
Plant Health: innovation trapped between laws and pests
Opinion article by Carlos Palomar Peñalba, Director General of AEPLA, for the ECA Plant Health Special (#ECASanidadVegetal)
Bollo Natural Fruits: “We want to be the solution for our clients with premium fruit”
Javier Carmona Pradal, marketing director at Bollo Natural Fruits, tells us how they take care of their brand and how they are evolving in products such as citrus. By José Esteban Ruiz Álvarez, agri‑food journalist. Bollo has managed to position its brand for consumers as a benchmark of quality. How do you take care of your processes so that the best citrus reaches consumers’ tables and you continue earning their trust? The Bollo brand is already a guarantee of quality. It has been for the past 100 years, although melons have always received more attention. But we studied it in depth and realized that this could be extended to the rest of our products, such as citrus. That is why we decided to extend the strict premium‑fruit quality standard to the rest of our products. Our level of demand is very high. We take great care of our product, and only fruit that meets the highest quality criteria is marketed under our brand. “We believe there is a market niche in Germany willing to pay more for fruit with quality and flavor.” What strategy have you set for this new year to continue advancing in the international market? Both our national and international strategy are linked to growth based on expanding our portfolio. What we want is to be the solution for our clients and suppliers with high‑quality fruit. As far as possible, we incorporate new products, such as our citrus brand, the introduction of pineapple, and fourth‑range products with Bollo and Bruñó. Now we are going to double our capacity in organic citrus. “In terms of volume, our star product is citrus.” Where are you growing the most? Our brand‑extension project goes beyond our borders. We have had great success with the promotions we have carried out in the south of France. We believe that in Germany, beyond the discount and high‑turnover public, there is a market niche—consumers who are willing to pay for a product of maximum quality and flavor. In Spain, we work with the main retailers. But to continue growing, we are also betting on the traditional channel, with greengrocers where our brand is present. Our intention is that they can have the entire Bollo portfolio and offer their end customers the highest fruit quality. What is your star product? In terms of brand recognition, melon is widely known. However, in terms of volume, our star product is citrus. Give us an overview of how the season is going so far in Spain. The citrus season arrived late and with a slow harvest, which kept the market tense for a while. But what concerns us is the quality of the fruit. What we want is to achieve results—in quality and volume—equal to last year across all our products. We are seeing notable growth in the market for fruit halves, an option we can supply thanks to our fourth‑range processing
Buyer missions, a powerful promotional tool for the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector
The Spanish fruit and vegetable sector is the main contributor to Spain’s agri‑food trade balance. Of the more than 75 billion euros exported in 2024, over 20 billion were generated by the fruit and vegetable sector. Exports continue to grow year after year, with an increase of more than 9% compared to the previous year. There is also growing market diversification, as bilateral export protocols are being finalized for new products and countries thanks to the determined work of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA). María Naranjo Crespo, directora de la Industria Agroalimentaria del ICEX Spain is the world’s third‑largest exporter of fruits and vegetables, behind China and the Netherlands. It is the leading EU country in organic farming area. It has more than 20 Protected Designations of Origin and more than 40 Protected Geographical Indications, demonstrating its commitment to quality, diversity and sustainability across the territory. It is worth highlighting the growth of tropical and subtropical crops, as well as the dynamism of the agri‑industry, which improves productivity and water efficiency every day through its commitment to innovation. The importance of buyer missions One of the main international showcases for our sector is undoubtedly professional trade fairs. A clear example is Fruit Attraction, which, with more than fifteen editions behind it, has become one of the most international fairs, both in number of exhibitors and visitors (its 17th edition received more than 120,000 visitors from 152 countries, 7% more than in the 2024 edition). From ICEX, and in collaboration with MAPA, an important international buyer mission from more than forty countries is promoted. Through the Economic and Commercial Offices of the Spanish Embassies, buyers who want to expand their catalogue of Spanish products in different categories are selected. In the last edition of Fruit Attraction, more than 1,000 bilateral meetings took place. This initiative is not only carried out at IFEMA; it also extends to other sector fairs, such as FIMA and FIGAN. But the service offered to these international buyers does not end with their presence at these professional events. Taking advantage of their stay in Spain, the opportunity is offered to Autonomous Communities, sectoral associations and other local entities (for example, Chambers of Commerce or Provincial Councils) to organize agendas that allow them to get to know their territories and farms first‑hand, and thus verify the commitment to quality, excellence and sustainability of the companies. The vision of the fruit and vegetable sector becomes much more complete. It is essential that both exhibiting companies and the Autonomous Communities and other groupings make the most of this powerful program to diversify their markets—one of the sector’s major pending tasks—and expand commercial relationships with new partners. The meetings held during these fairs with companies are reinforced by field visits, where the commitment of farmers, cooperatives and marketing companies to the excellence and quality of Spanish agriculture is showcased.
“More than 1,000 companies representing over 60 nationalities are expected to attend SITEVI”
From November 24 to 26 in Montpellier, SITEVI 2025 presents a comprehensive, multi-sector program designed to support diversification and transition in the agricultural sector in the face of economic, climate, and social challenges. We interviewed Guillaume Schaeffer, director of SITEVI, who told us that a large number of leading companies are expected to attend this new edition to drive innovation and offer strategic support in the face of the major challenges facing the sector. Por: Bárbara Aguayo Martínez. Periodista agroalimentaria What does SITEVI represent today for the wine, olive oil, and fruit and vegetable sectors at the international level? Today, SITEVI is an essential international reference point for the wine, olive oil, and arboriculture sectors. It is much more than a trade fair: it is a true meeting point for exchange, innovation, and concrete solutions. The aim is to offer a useful platform for all professionals, enabling them to identify trends, initiate collaborations, and return with answers tailored to their realities in the field. How has the fair evolved in recent years in terms of the number of exhibitors, visitors, and international presence? We have seen steady growth. We expect the 2025 edition to be particularly dynamic, both in terms of exhibitors and visitors. With four months to go before the opening, more than 90% of the spaces are already reserved, demonstrating the renewed confidence of market players. More than 1,000 companies are expected, representing more than 60 nationalities, with a target attendance of over 55,000 professionals. Countries such as Italy, Spain, and Germany are very present, and we are developing more and more connections with growing markets, especially in Latin America and Eastern Europe. What role does SITEVI play in transferring innovation and technology to the agri-food sector? SITEVI plays a central role in disseminating innovation. It is a space where professionals can see the latest technological advances in action, try them out, and interact directly with designers. Electrified equipment, robotics, smart irrigation management, and precision digital tools are all valued. With partners such as La Ferme Digitale, La Wine Tech, and Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation, and spaces such as LabTech, visibility is given to start-ups, emerging solutions, and integrated approaches. The SITEVI Innovation Awards further reinforce this mission by highlighting innovations with a strong environmental, economic, and social impact. What are the main new features of the upcoming edition of SITEVI? The 2025 edition will be marked by major transitions. We will find an enriched offering around robotization, energy autonomy, and the digitization of practices. LabTech, located in Hall B6, will be reinforced by the presence of promising start-ups and will offer continuous demonstrations throughout the fair. In terms of content, conferences and masterclasses will delve into topics such as agroecology, the valorization of co-products, and retrofitting in wineries. And, of course, the SITEVI Innovation Awards will be at the heart of the event, highlighting specific and truly impactful projects for the future of the wine, olive oil, and fruit sectors. What topics will be prioritized this year: sustainability, digitization, adaptation to climate change, etc.? All of these topics will be prioritized in this edition. Sustainability has become a sine qua non condition for the resilience of the sectors: there will be discussions on electrification, regenerative agriculture, carbon footprint reduction, soil conservation, etc. The program, designed with experts from IFV, INRAE, and WineTech, will devote a lot of time to these topics. Digitalization is also very much present, driven by strong demand for management tools, traceability, and artificial intelligence. Finally, adaptation to climate change is common to all these topics. It is a real common thread that structures both the solutions presented and the discussions proposed throughout the fair. What kind of professional audience does SITEVI expect this year? How are synergies between companies, startups, and producers being promoted? We expect a very diverse audience: producers, cooperatives, traders, but also technicians and distributors. SITEVI promotes synergies by creating meeting spaces such as LabTech and the Business Meetings service. LabTech is a space dedicated to startups and technological innovations, with demonstrations, presentations, and discussions on the solutions of tomorrow. The idea is to bring together two worlds: that of technological innovation and that of the field. And it works, because we are seeing concrete collaborations emerge between established companies, young companies, and end users. How does SITEVI contribute to creating commercial and technical connections between the different links in the agri-food chain? SITEVI acts as a catalyst. It brings together all the players in the chain, from start to finish: equipment manufacturers, producers, processors, distributors, institutions, research centers, etc. We offer a business meeting service to bring our exhibitors and visitors together. In terms of content, we have an extensive conference program and offer a variety of masterclasses. We encourage the exchange of concrete, reproducible, and sustainable solutions. This is what makes the fair so strong: its ability to bring together an entire ecosystem around common issues and promote effective cooperation. See you from November 25 to 27, 2025, in Montpellier for an exceptional edition of SITEVI, marked by innovation, sustainability, and major transitions in the wine, olive, and arboriculture
Why an EU Protein Strategy has never been more urgent
Opinion Piece by Stephan Arens, Chair of Copa-Cogeca Oilseeds and Protein Crops Working Party Exactly one month ago, Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, presented the Commission’s Vision for the Future of Agriculture. Among the many measures announced, one in particular stood out for European protein crop producers: the renewed ambition to develop a comprehensive plan to address the EU’s dependency on protein imports. I say “renewed ambition” because, for those familiar with Brussels policymaking, this issue has been a recurring challenge. Both Phil Hogan and Janusz Wojciechowski attempted to tackle it in the past. Yet, as the Draghi report aptly put it, “dependencies are becoming vulnerabilities.” If this warning is to be heeded, the issue can no longer be delayed despite its complexity. Oilseed production is a cornerstone of EU agriculture, ranking as the second most widely grown arable crop after cereals[1]. Rapeseed and sunflower not only support the EU’s food and animal feed industries, thus helping reduce dependency on imported plant proteins, but simultaneously serve as key resources for renewable energy in transport, directly contributing to decarbonisation and energy independence. Moreover, oilseeds play a vital role in sustainable farming by improving crop rotations, storing carbon and providing different sorts of ecosystemic services. Yet, despite its strategic importance for EU self-sufficiency, safeguarding the sector does not appear to be a priority judging by the gap between words and actions. In recent years, Europe’s oilseed sector has been hit by a combination of production challenges and trade disruptions. Climate change has brought about extreme weather conditions, lowering yields and introducing new pests and diseases. At the same time, EU farmers have lost crucial crop protection tools, leaving rapeseed growers, for instance, with just eight active substances to fight pests, five of which share the same mode of action. Meanwhile, alternative solutions remain scarce, with no new active substances (including biocontrol) approved in the past five years, and New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) still unavailable. Trade dynamics have only added to these difficulties. The war in Ukraine triggered a surge in oilseed imports, while the biodiesel market – critical for the sector – has been flooded with low-cost and potentially fraudulent biodiesel from China. Following the war, the EU fully liberalised trade with Ukraine and established “green lanes” to facilitate transport. With few restrictions on Ukrainian oilseeds and only limited tariffs on oils, Ukraine’s exports of oilseeds and related products (meal and oil) doubled from 5.5 million tonnes in 2021 to 11 million tonnes in 2024[2]. While the EU imposed import restrictions on products like sugar, no measures were taken to curb oilseed imports. A similar story is unfolding with Chinese biodiesel. Imports skyrocketed from 0.6 million tonnes in 2019 to over 1.7 million tonnes in 2023, forcing the EU to impose anti-dumping tariffs at the end of 2024. Yet, loopholes remain. The EU’s biofuel regulations give used cooking oil (UCO) twice the decarbonisation value compared to first-generation biodiesel from virgin vegetable oils, while fraud screening is lacking. As a result, Chinese UCO exports surged by 39.4% to 737,000 tonnes, much of which is suspected to be fraudulent palm oil classified as non-renewable biofuel in the EU[3]. The Commission is now considering stricter certification rules, but whether concrete action will follow remains uncertain. With rising imports suppressing prices and production costs soaring – fertiliser prices, for example, peaked at €1000 per tonne post-war, now stabilising at €400 – the outlook for EU oilseed farmers is becoming increasingly fragile. And if global trade tensions escalate, the situation could worsen. All this leads us to an important paradox: despite its strategic importance, the outlook for the EU oilseeds sector is increasingly precarious. And with global trade uncertainties mounting, particularly in light of a second Trump administration, the situation could deteriorate even further. The second Trump administration is sending shockwaves through the markets. Canada, the world’s third-largest oilseed exporter, ships over 3.2 million tonnes of oilseeds and related products to the US each year[4]. If Trump imposes a 25% tariff, much of this surplus could be redirected to the EU, intensifying pressure on European producers. Meanwhile, the US has already announced a ban on Chinese UCO imports starting in 2025. In 2024, the US imported over 1.2 million tonnes of Chinese UCO[5], a significant share of which is likely to be diverted to the EU, further destabilising the biodiesel market. The EU cannot afford further strain on its oilseed production. Urgent measures are needed to ensure both the availability and affordability of essential production tools while mitigating trade risks. The complexity of the issue means there is no unique solution. Instead, a range of targeted policies will be required to support the sector effectively. The Commission must base its upcoming protein strategy on the right assessments and deliver concrete, actionable proposals that translate into real impact on the ground. In my opinion, for this strategy to be successful, it must also focus on one of the greatest contributors to European plant protein production: oilseed meal – a crucial by-product of a biofuel policy centered on sustainability. Within Copa-Cogeca, we are actively working to provide input and policy recommendations that reflect the realities faced by farmers and agri-cooperatives. As the clock ticks down, we hope to engage constructively with the Commission to ensure that Europe’s oilseed sector is not only protected but strengthened for the future. [1] https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/extensions/DashboardCereals/OilseedProduction.html [2] https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/extensions/DashboardCereals/OilseedTrade.html [3]https://www.grainfuel-nexus.com/news/china-uco-exports-reach-record-high-in-2024-february-03-2025 [4]https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Oilseeds%20and%20Products%20Annual_Ottawa_Canada_CA2024-0008.pdf [5]
“We want to introduce more Candine volume in the Spanish market”
Candine is a sweet apple, with a taste reminiscent of exotic fruits, with potential for a new group of consumers. Interview with Marc Peyres, Comercial director of Blue Whale By: Bárbara Aguayo Martínez, agri-food journalist/ @BarbaraAguayoM3 What are the new varieties that Blue whale is introducing this year? We are in the process of increasing volumes of two promising varieties: Candine for apples and Fred for pears. The test phases on our markets are conclusive: Candine is appreciated for its bicolor aspect and its refreshing sweet and juicy taste. Fred is a very interesting pear with a rather firm flesh and a tasty taste. How the apple campaign has been in this first half of the season? Which markets have been targeted? An atypical season marked by the consequences of the heat wave, notably on certain varieties. It is also an atypical season in terms of total volume and length of season (especially royal gala but also with a reduction in size and length of season (chanteclaire, fuji, grey Canada, …) The new gala season will start in July. Until then, we still have to finish pink lady and joya for which the quantities were less affected by the climatic problems (later varieties). The season has been marked by two important things for us: the development of the sales of ENVY which has now found its place on Spanish and French markets. Secondly, the very good feedback on the taste quality of Candine which allows us to look forward to next year with greater volumes to develop the market. This year, we have had confirmation in the Far East of the total acceptance of the Candine variety, whose sales have increased sixfold with a premium price positioning, at the level of the best varieties in the area. This gives hope for the development of this variety. We can also note the rise in power of some varieties such as Coeur de reine in France (in almost all stores What is Blue whale’s commitment in terms of environmental care and sustainability? Blue Whale is involved in several research programs in partnership with public and private organizations to imagine a sustainable production method from a technical, economic and environmental point of view. We can already mention the first results of the Green GO project. This is a project carried out with Pink Lady and the French National Apple and Pear Association to measure the carbon impact of the apple industry, from the orchard to the consumer From this Life Cycle Analysis, which has been delivered in January 2023, an action plan will be developed to improve our producer-stocker-shipper level. We are also testing new technologies. We will share more details on the progress of our work in the coming months. Climate change, has affected the quality of apples in France in recent years? The climate has been changing for several years. We are particularly affected on our sector. We are carefully observing the consequences. It is the acceleration of climate change that marks us the most, and the extreme events that are linked. It is visible, for example, in the episodes of drought that are intensifying and accelerating. In France, we had some rather favorable years and then the last 2 years more complicated. The quality has been more impacted by the lack of water. How do you foresee the next apple harvest in terms of quality and volume compared to last year? It is still early to say. We are in the flowering period with very good conditions for the return to flower The experience of the last seasons shows that until the last apple is harvested, anything can happen. There are so many possible hazards in the spring and summer that we cannot know yet if the harvest will be
