Today’s weather conditions mean new research into fruit and vegetable varieties, which are more in line with the current reality.
This is the case of broccoli. The IMIDA (Murcian Institute for Agricultural and Alimentary Research and Development) has started work on obtaining obtain new broccoli varieties, which are better adapted to the soil and that respond better to the current and future weather conditions.
The General Board for Agri-Food Innovation, presided over by Juana Mulero, along with the organisations Fecoam, Fecamur and Proexport, as well as broccoli producing and exporting companies have reached an agreement to deal with this variety improvement plan. “Discovering producers’ and exporters’ demands first hand in order to adapt them to the research is essential in order to reach a successful conclusion”, Mulero stated.
The Region of Murcia exports 70% of the national total of winter vegetables. In 2014, the overall exterior sales volume touched on 300,000 tonnes, generating an invoicing of 271.9 million euros. There was a 19% growth in volume compared to the previous campaign, along with a 6% increase in price.
Spanish cabbage exports in 2014 increased by 20%, meaning a figure of 438,718 tonnes that generated 396.2 million euros. Of the total produce exported, 82% (360,874 tonnes) correspond to broccoli and cauliflowers and the rest to white, red and green cabbages.
