V A L E N C I A 2 5 M A R C H 2 0 1 0

S P A N I S H F R E S H P R O D U C E W E E K 1 3

Finally we are seeing the first signs of Spring, with some improvement in

crops after a long Winter. The New green sprouts are showing themselves as

they reach for the sun. Artichokes, Asparagus

(few), Fava beans, carrots, radishes and had-

n’t it been for the climate we could also

now be welcoming new crops of potatoes

and sweet onions but these have been heavily

delayed due to the rain of the last months.

The growers in Almeria are out clearing the

Winter mess and getting ready to plant more

melon seeds and in Murcia they are struggling

with lettuces and cabbages which are really

scarce now after a long period with rain and

low temperatures.

Weather:

Product Trends

Grow

Source

Import

Package

Distribute

Total Produce Sourcing Spain S.A Calle Caminás 3, Bajo Izquierda. 46530 Puçol (Valencia) T: +34 961 95 84 17 F: +34 961 95 84 40

Artichokes:

The main harvest takes place in the

Spring when the largest thistles are avail-

able. Look for artichokes with tight, com-

pact leaves and fresh-cut stem ends.

Prices are increasing.

Asparagus:

We were expecting asparagus for this

period but since frost hit Granada last

week we have not been able to find any.

Everything is delayed. Last week frost

was found 3 cm into the soil and further

to that all the rain has cooled down the

soil so we really need much higher tem-

peratures than the current 14 degrees to

make the asparagus grow. We expect

normal quantities around 15-20 April.

Avocado:

The prices continue to go up as overseas

supply diminishes.

Broccoli:

The broccoli being harvested now was

estimated for collection more than 1

month ago. Normally they estimate ap-

proximately a 100 day cycle for winter

crop but so far they have been 140 days

underway. The spring crop planted now

should be approximately 85 days under-

way. The prices continue to be very

high.

Capsicum:

New crop of Padron ready. In general

high prices, poor quality and low volumes

of California caps.

Carrots:

This week we have the first quantities

available and from next week the volumes

will increase considerably. (see fotos from

yesterday on next page)

Chinese cabbage:

Steady prices with tendency of increasing

a little

Clementines:

Short lived volumes of nadorcott and only

in sizes 3 and 4. Due to the rain and in or-

der to avoid quality problems nobody has

stored fruit this year.

Cucumbers:

New crop but low demand and prices are

very low although they have gone up a

little as the week has progressed.

Egg Plants:

Good quality and with Russia pulling some

large promotions the prices continue to be

high. New crop should be ready around

the 20th

April.

Fava Beans:

A Mediterranean favourite available now.

Iceberg:

Proexport, the association of Murcian ice-

berg exporters, have made another press

release this week regarding the situation

in Murcia. They foresee a serious lack of

Iceberg for weeks 12, 13 and 14 which are

crucial weeks being the period of Easter.

Proxeport estimate the quantities to be

The above fotos from

yesterday illustrates

the current situation

with Asparagus in

Granada. Nothing in

the soil and less in the

warehouses.

Grow

Source

Import

Package

Distribute

• Market

Total Produce Sourcing Spain S.A Calle Caminás 3, Bajo Izquierda. 46530 Puçol (Valencia) T: +34 961 95 84 17 F: +34 961 95 84 40

almost 30% lower when compared to other

campaigns. The exporters, in order to sat-

isfy their clients and their demands are

forced to pick lettuces that are not fully

grown and hence weigh less than normal.

This must be accepted as there are really no

other alternatives at the moment.

Kunquat:

Last weeks with kumquat.

Lemon:

Slight increase in demand due to Easter but

still a complicated market. There are cheap

as always cheap Spanish lemons in Holland.

The campaign at present is characterized by

a significant amount of Primofiori and of

many different qualities. Regarding exports

the season started with a slight delay and

up until now we are still below 20% of a

normal rate of Spanish lemon exports. The

processing industry is only at 25 % of its

capacity.

Little gem:

Good quality and limited supply..now also

red gem available

Loquat:

The early variety Golden Nugget should be

available from Malaga within 3 weeks.

Oranges:

With the arrival of Easter we have experien-

ced a larger demand than normal. Further the

first Valencia Lates are being loaded but the

level of acid continues a little higher than it

ought to be.

Pointed cabbage:

The quality is good and the prices remain

steady.

Rasperry:

Like with strawberries the volumes have gone

up and prices down. Demand is low since the-

re are lots of fruit on the markets.

Romaine salad:

With a difficult situation for Iceberg the de-

mand of romaine has increased a lot. The

quality is remarkably good.

Spring onion:

the quality is excellent and the prices are fal-

ling

Strawberry:

We are entering the first week where supply is

abundant. The rise of temperatures has accel-

erated the ripening period and because of this

created excessive quantities to which the mar-

kets have responded by collapsing. Right now

there are a lot of uncertainties with regards to

next week’s prices but what seems to be cer-

tain is that for the remainder of the season we

will be working with lower prices and higher

volumes than up to now.

Tomatoes:

The trouble continues in Almeria. The plants

are not yielding and the quantities are low.

Each vine has only one or two tomatoes so we

can only offer limited quantities of loose.

Zucchini:

The quality now is absolutely excellent and

further to that it’s new Summer crop.

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