Pedro Gil: "Spain is not a market for Club varieties"
The apple harvest is coming to an end in Aragón with the latest Fuji, which is already being stored…The apple harvest is coming to an end in Aragón with the latest Fuji, which is already being stored in a controlled atmosphere to sell them over the next nine months together with other varieties like Golden, Reineta, Gala, etc.
According to Pedro Gil, manager of the Zaragoza-based company Agrícola Gil, the apple campaign has been good so far, especially as regards prices, which are significantly higher than last year.
"We started the campaign with Gala apples in August, when the market appeared to be emptier than usual. The few stocks of apples from the southern hemisphere reached very high prices, which left more space for our local product," states Pedro Gil.
"There is a smaller apple production available this year due to the extreme weather conditions we have experienced, which have ranged from extreme heat to hail storms," explains Pedro Gil, adding that this has also affected the calibres, which are smaller this year.
Moreover, production in the rest of Europe has also been reduced this year, especially in Italy and Poland, so there is not as much pressure on prices. Italy continues to do a good job and has a good market share in Spain, with good promotional campaigns, such as those of Marlene or Val Venosta. Spanish apples compete primarily as a local product and in terms of prices.
Club varieties have no place in Spain at the moment
The most consumed apples in Spain are still the Golden, followed by the Gala and Fuji.
"At the moment, Spain is not a market for Club varieties," affirms Pedro Gil. It is true that Spanish consumers are conservative compared with other European countries, but there is also no apple culture that results in consumers appreciating the distinguishing features of Club varieties. There are some growers planting Pink Lady or other varieties in Spain, but the volumes are insignificant. As long as consumption does not develop, producers will not choose to plant such varieties."