The chairman of the DO of Custard Apple of the Tropical Coast of Granada, Antonio Sánchez, foresees that the 2018/19 harvest will not reach 40 million kilos due to the wind, the high temperatures and the drought. This aspect continues to be a talking point for the entire sector, which is suffering from the slowness of the Administration to find a solution to the lack of water via infrastructures. “We need it to speed up. We are irrigating 50 days in the Vega de Almuñécar with a rise in the water costs of up to 0,50€/m3 and this is where there is water, because the wells are beginning to dry up,” the chairman of the DO declared to Fruit Today in January.
This campaign started with later harvests and good quality fruit. On average, in January prices of 2€/kg were reached due to the smaller supply.
Granada is the main producer worldwide of custard apples. It has a stable surface area of 3,100 hectares and it exports around 20% of the total to the EU. This fruit is becoming increasingly well known amongst European consumers, who are searching for healthy produce. “The custard apple is a pharmacy. It has properties that are very similar to the guanabana, with a better flavour, it is easier to eat and cheaper.”
