The stone fruit campaign is already well underway in the Region of Murcia, about 10 days ahead of last year.
"We are already past the midpoint of a campaign that started on April 9, the earliest one on record," says Antonio Caballero, manager of the Murcian company Frutas Torero, based in the municipality of Abarán. "Normally, we finish between June 15 and 20, but this year we expect to do so in the first week of June."
"So far, the results have been good both in terms of production and trade, with a recovery of the apricot production compared to the previous season, which was affected by rain and hail," he says.
According to the producer and exporter, the supply of extra-early stone fruit has been quite good so far. "On the one hand, it's true that fruit plots have been uprooted in Murcia in recent years, especially of early varieties, so, in general, there has been a lower production than in previous years."
"On the other hand, temperatures at the beginning of the campaign have been milder than initially expected, which has allowed the harvest to reach the market in a more staggered manner and without production peaks. The weather has also not been good at destination, so the demand wasn't high," says Antonio Caballero.
The manager of this Murcian company also highlights the better performance of apricots this year in terms of volumes and quality, since last year they were damaged by rain and hail.
The demand is currently on the rise thanks to the warm weather across much of Europe, but the production is also starting now in other areas of Spain. "From this point on, we will also compete with the supply from other Spanish origins and there will be more pressure on prices, which is always a challenge for us, as our production costs are higher," he says.
Frutas Torero produces between 6 and 7 million kilos of stone fruit annually in a campaign that lasts barely 2 months. In late June, they will start with the table grapes, of which they produce between 7 and 8 million kilos.
For more information:
Antonio Caballero Palazón
Frutas Torero
Avenida constitución 15.
30550 Abarán (Murcia). Spain
T: +34 968 451 536
[email protected]
www.frutastorero.com
www.hortofruticolatopi.com