Spanish brassica production is preparing to start the 2026/27 season with favourable agronomic expectations, despite a context marked by higher production and marketing costs.
Campo de Lorca, the Murcia-based company that markets its products under the Cricket brand, begins the new campaign with a similar cultivated area to previous years across broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Bimi and artichoke.
After a summer campaign affected by challenging weather conditions, the outlook for the start of the new cycle is positive.
“From an agronomic point of view, we expect October to offer good production conditions. Unless new adverse weather events occur, we expect to have a good supply and achieve strong yields during October and November,” explains Sebastián Aguilar, Commercial Director of Campo de Lorca.
Europe could start importing earlier
The main difference this season could come from the timing of international demand.
The severe drought and heatwaves recorded in several areas of central and northern Europe are affecting the final plantings of local campaigns, a situation that could bring forward the start of imports from Spain.
“We are receiving some calls from importers and there are signs that this could happen,” says Aguilar.
During the usual transition period, northern European retailers combine local production with imported supply to guarantee availability. This year, however, Spanish brassicas could play a more prominent role and enter the market earlier than usual.
Campo de Lorca says it is prepared to respond to this potential shift in demand, including programmes that were initially planned for later weeks.
“We are ready to start supplying in the coming weeks, ensuring a certain level of production during the overlap between the end of their campaign and the beginning of ours,” Aguilar explains.
Rising costs put pressure on the campaign
The new season will also be shaped by increasing production and commercialisation costs.
Higher gas and oil prices, together with rising costs for cardboard and plastic, will add pressure to companies’ cost structures.
“It will be a handicap to take into account when setting sales prices,” warns the Commercial Director of Campo de Lorca.
Despite these challenges, the company begins the campaign with positive production expectations and the possibility that European demand could become active earlier than expected.
Campo de Lorca at Fruit Attraction
Campo de Lorca will once again participate in Fruit Attraction, taking place from 6 to 8 October in Madrid, where the company will welcome customers and industry professionals at stand 7C12, Pavilion 7.
The trade fair will coincide with the first weeks of a campaign in which weather developments in northern Europe and the ability of Spanish suppliers to respond to potential early demand will be key factors shaping the start of the season.
