Citrus fruits and artichokes are this company’s flagship products, but a whole series of vegetables are also taking off.
Fruit Today euromagazine talked to Guillermo Edo, manager of Benihort, who confirmed the company’s business success.
Over the past decade, which has been marked by a deep crisis, you have increased your volumes greatly, particularly in vegetables. How did this come about?
Yes, it’s true. Farmers from the area have specialised and become agricultural businessmen with employees, planning their crops and looking after the technology. Land in this region is a scarce asset and, therefore, people tend to make the most of it. The increase has been incredible, almost a million kilos per year, in vegetables alone.
We have a significantly diversified portfolio: from leeks, our latest incorporation, to potatoes, as well as lettuces, celery, peppers, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, green broccoli (a green type of white cauliflower), romanesco, cabbage, etc. And obviously, artichokes with Denomination of Origin.
Which summer products are important for the cooperative?
Watermelon is the main one, with over 13 million kilos last year. Following this, we have a volume of around 700,000 thousand kilos of Italian peppers and around 650,000 of greenhouse tomatoes. The vegetable offer has grown a great deal in recent years because it provides faster profits for the farmers.
Specifically, how is the watermelon campaign going?
The season started 10 days late compared to a normal campaign and with a drop in volumes. The farmers in this area have become true specialists and obtain high productivity (70 or 80 thousand kilos per hectare). Our technicians have prepared an irrigation and fertilising system that make the plants work hard. The volume forecasts are for around 10 million kilos, including both striped and black watermelons.
What is happening with the citrus fruits?
Our citrus fruit production has stabilised over the past few years and we have clearly opted for vegetables. However, this does not mean that we are setting it to one side. On the contrary, Tango and Nadorcott and late varieties, which are the ones that adapt to this region: Navel Chislett and Power, as well as late clementines, are all included in our strategic plans for 2019.
Where are the company’s main markets?
Traditionally, we have worked on the national market, but this has also changed and now we concentrate more on exports to Europe. On the other hand, we have never ignored our natural market, Mercabarna and its area of influence. Every day around five lorries from our own fleet travel to this market.
What is the cooperative’s overall turnover?
Around 45 million euros, and what is most important is that most of this amount stays in the town. We are a strategic area, not only because it is a primary sector, but also because the smooth running of Benihort contributes to social peace, not only that of the cooperative itself, but also of the region.
