In a single campaign, Keops has increased its gourmet tomato line invoicing by 40%
Specialities are becoming more and more important in Keops Agro’s portfolio. From the previous campaign to the one that has just ended, the invoicing for the products that are framed in their Karamel brand has risen substantially, another 40%, affirms the Manager of the ecological production company, Francisco Javier del Águila. A growth in value that is above the increase in volume, which is around +25-30%. For this reason, he advances that looking to the 2021/22 campaign, they will increase the surface area to adapt to the demand, although he expects the growth figures to remain stable compared to this year.
Within the company’s gourmet tomato line, Karamel Rome and Karamel Cerise stand out. The former is a vine plum cherry tomato with excellent flavour and high Brix levels (9-12 degrees). The latter, Cerise, is a round cherry tomato with a slightly more acidic taste.
In other typologies, Keops is maintaining production of cocktail tomatoes, after several campaigns when the demand dropped considerably. “It rose on the markets at one point, but then this came to a halt. It is a format which, in general, is being difficult to introduce.”
Another product where the volumes are being maintained is the vine tomato, which “dropped a great deal” over several campaigns.
In other categories, Del Águila underscores the stability of the Dutch cucumber, with a continuous demand that is the ideal complement to the Karamel range.
And although this year has not been as good as it should have been regarding prices due to the closure of the catering and restaurant sector, the company will continue opting for spicy red peppers and the line of aromatic plants, the least well-known on its portfolio.
Regarding fruit, they predict stability in oranges and a “considerable” volume of limes, as these plantations are entering their third year now.
For the past 20 years, Keops Agro has been producing using the 360º Eco system, based on self-sufficiency of inputs for nutrition and vegetable health and the company’s R&D team is studying the organisms from its crops to stimulate them and prevent the proliferation of diseases using Epigen Technology.
