EDITORIAL
Who will pay the price?
Spanish fruit and vegetable producers continue to stand strong. According to the AECOC study *Pulso del Sector de Frutas y Hortalizas*, 80% of companies increased their sales value during the first quarter of the year.
PROFILE OF THE MONTH
Pedro Martínez: Unwavering discipline
Pedro Martínez is a man who takes care of himself — and it shows, as he’s nearly 50 but doesn’t look it. He speaks openly about his anti-inflammatory diet and exercises regularly and with commitment. He enjoys reading management and self-help books
EVENTS
+Brócoli backs ‘A Healthier Europe’
The association joins Alcachofa de España and Fraises de France in a European initiative to promote fresh, local fruit and vegetables in the heart of Europe’s capitals
Sanifruit hosts postharvest event for vegetables in Almería
Its natural and effective solutions for tomato, pepper and courgette extend shelf life, reduce losses and increase profitability
Tomeet: Spanish tomatoes need a clear direction
Time is running out for the sector to change course, while competition across the Mediterranean arc continues to grow
GARLIC & ONION
Imported onions boost sales on supermarket shelves
The situation is widespread. Europe—and therefore Spain—is experiencing a product shortage in May and June. The high price of onions has triggered a pull effect for imports from origins that are not traditionally present in European markets.
Chinese garlic impacts Spanish exports
The rerouting of unsold Chinese garlic from the U.S. to Europe, the growing competition from third countries, and Spain’s own structural issues are worsening the crisis in the Spanish garlic sector
Sunions extends its season
BASF Nunhems’ sweet and tear-free proposal gains traction in Europe and grows through counter-season imports to expand shelf availability
Naranco proves its strength in a difficult year
The onion campaign began with major losses in some areas due to heavy rains, but Bejo’s variety delivered quality and firm skin
Market gap between early and late onions
From abundance to shortage. That sums up the current situation in the European onion market, which is going through a critical phase after unexpectedly running out of stored supply
AUXILIARY INDUSTRY
Alltech Crop Science hosts the 3rd CIMA Convention
The 3rd CIMA Convention, organized by Alltech Crop Science, took place in Córdoba this past April, in collaboration with its partner Cortijo de La Reina, a 700-hectare multi-crop estate.
Altinco launches an eco-friendly pesticide with just 20% paraffin oil
Altinco Grinward® targets three pests—aphids, whiteflies and psylla—across a wide range of crops and works by contact, preventing resistance development
ILIP follows through on its commitment to sustainability
The Italian company returned to the Rimini fair with innovative, sustainable solutions for fresh fruit and vegetables
Fresón de Palos strengthens biological control in partnership with Koppert
Europe’s largest strawberry producer now uses biological control on 100% of its raspberry crop, 80% of its blueberry crop, and 30% of its strawberry fields
Maguey Technology Green: sustainable innovation in agriculture and social commitment
In a context where agriculture seeks not only to be more productive but also fairer and more humane, Maguey Technology Green stands out as a model company combining ecology and equity
SEEDS
Bayer: tradition and innovation in brassicas
The Seminis brassica portfolio offers stability and uniformity under changing conditions with varieties like SV5864AC and its new-generation genetics
SVCE1524: the ideal cucumber for fast cycles
Bayer Seminis offers a variety that “delivers kilos fast” in spring, summer and autumn crops
Challenges and threats in courgette production
Viruses like CABYV and PABYV top growers’ concerns, as highlighted during a specialist meeting organised by HM.Clause
From seed to root: Syngenta strengthens ToBRFV resistance
The company is tackling the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) with a new generation of rootstocks and a novel heart-shaped plum tomato variety, Legislador (TIPL 21-S008)
Introducing Feroz and Calaris
Top Seeds expands its tomato portfolio with ToBRFV-resistant pear and San Marzano types
MELON & WATERMELON
“A campaign marked by sharp fluctuations”
On the verge of the start of the Spanish melon season, Grupo Algitama Autor reports a positive balance of winter and spring imports from Brazil and Senegal, especially those from the South American country
“The campaign will normalise from late June onwards”
Fruit Today magazine spoke with Ángel Cebrià, commercial manager of Anecoop’s watermelon programme, who spoke about the season’s delay and confirmed that the campaign is expected to stabilise from June
Tight supply expected in May and June
Water scarcity during campaign planning and pest issues in recent years have pushed growers to seek alternative regions, explains Bayer
Bollo Natural Fruit: 50 destinations across 4 continents
Its brand is recognised in 50 countries around the world, with Europe—especially Germany and France—standing out as key markets
Neoforce® Brix AntiOX boosts growth
This biostimulant is Fertiberia TECH’s latest breakthrough to enhance every stage of the vegetative cycle of melons and watermelons
Proexport to harvest 550,000 tonnes of melons and watermelons
José Cánovas, president of the Melon and Watermelon Growers’ Association of Murcia, forecasts a campaign that will begin with some product shortage, which will gradually ease over the following weeks, although field yields are not expected to be high
Gregal: “we need to seek collaborative synergies”
The Murcian cooperative Gregal is entering the new melon season with a clear commitment to inter-company collaboration, technological innovation, and continuous improvement
Anti-stress protocol for cucurbits
Servalesa has developed a comprehensive anti-stress protocol that includes soil regeneration processes
Ágata drives sales growth
Syngenta’s watermelon sees high demand in Murcia and La Mancha. In melons, Bobal and Graciano account for over 50% of the early Piel de Sapo market
BERRIES
Huelva to host the 10th International Berry Congress
The 10th International Berry Congress will take place in June 2025 at the Casa Colón Conference Centre in Huelva
Fresas Nuevos Materiales gains ground
The evolution of strawberry varieties planted in Huelva continues to strengthen the local company, although genetic improvement programmes are also growing
The Huelva strawberry season to close with lower volumes
Initial estimates suggest a 30% drop in production compared to the previous season, marking the fourth consecutive year of declining yields
Planasa unveils high-tech raspberry greenhouse
The ambitious project features structural and technological upgrades to boost agricultural efficiency and productivity on one hectare dedicated to raspberry cultivation
ECOLOGICAL
“Inflation has slowed organic growth”
Cricket strengthens its organic line and continues to supply consolidated markets such as Switzerland, Denmark and Germany
Generational handover secures the future at Camposeven
At a time when the lack of generational replacement is one of the greatest threats to Spanish agriculture, Camposeven stands out as a success story
More Aenor-Epigen certifications for regenerative agriculture
The quest for a farming model based on a new balance between soil and crop ecosystems forms the foundation of the Aenor-Epigen certification for regenerative agriculture
COMPANIES
Princesa Amandine launches new promotional campaigns
The only monovarietal potato marketed under the Princesa Amandine brand is preparing new and enticing promotional initiatives
Dorí sets up a demo kiwi orchard in Valencia
The one-hectare plot showcases the advantages of its yellow kiwi variety in Spain as part of its expansion strategy
Sweet Papaya gains ground
Once considered an exotic and almost invisible fruit on European shelves, Canarian papaya is now in high demand thanks to companies like Sweet Papaya
STONE FRUIT
Royal kicks off a stone fruit season full of new features
This year, the Andalusian company is unveiling packaging with colours that reflect the fruit’s flesh tone
Catalonia’s stone fruit drops only 2% despite seven hailstorms
Catalonia’s production will fall by just 2% compared to last season, with a forecast of 376,780 tonnes, recovering 5% against the average of the past five years
China opens its doors to Spanish cherries
In addition to the existing export protocols (stone fruit, grapes, citrus, persimmons, and almonds) to the Asian country, cherries have now been added, following the recent signing of a new agreement
“A delayed harvest boosts fruit size”
The calendar has become an ally for Murcian stone fruit. This year, delays in harvesting are expected to result in larger fruit sizes—an attractive commercial advantage that coincides with a low-supply European market
Frutaria Innovation: a complete range of varieties
With the philosophy of the Mailliard family, a focus on flavour, and the acquisition of new breeding programmes, Frutaria Innovation stands out as a major player in the development and editing of stone fruit varieties
Reducing the workweek to 37.5 hours will intensify labour problems
As is well known, the fruit and vegetable sector is facing a serious labour shortage, a problem that could worsen if the reduction of the working week is finally approved
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