Against this backdrop, Frutas Torero has found a significant advantage in its new facilities in Abarán, where, for the first time, the fruit is being packed at 20°C.
The table grape season has proved more challenging than expected for the sector as a whole and for Frutas Torero in particular. Antonio Caballero, Managing Director of the Murcian company, points to two factors that have had a particularly significant impact this season: prices below last year’s levels and difficulties with grape colour development caused by high temperatures.
The season began with lower prices, a situation that has continued throughout much of the summer, while production costs — labour, materials and treatments — have continued to rise.
Pressure from Egypt
Caballero attributes part of the situation to the growing presence of Egyptian grapes on European markets just as the Murcian season is getting under way. Traditionally, July offered a more favourable commercial window for Spanish production, but this advantage has gradually narrowed. “The problem is not only the overlap in supply, but also the price levels at which the fruit enters the market,” he says.
“European buyers are trying to keep prices for Spanish grapes close to those they had been paying for Egyptian produce.”
Heat hampers grape colour development
The other major factor affecting this season is in the vineyards. High temperatures have affected the fruit, which requires certain temperature conditions to develop its colour properly. The problem persists into mid-September because, despite the season progressing, nights remain too warm. “We are waiting for cooler weather so that the grapes can develop their colour and we can work with them,” Caballero explains.
The issue is becoming increasingly important because there is still fruit waiting to be harvested. This includes some Sweet Celebration and, above all, a significant volume of Allison, one of the latest red varieties.
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A drop in temperatures would allow the remaining bunches to develop more colour and provide an opportunity to harvest as much of the remaining volume as possible before the end of the season.
Better conditions for packing
Despite the external challenges of the season, Frutas Torero has one significant internal advantage this year: its new facilities in Abarán.
This season, the company has opened new infrastructure designed to ensure that grapes are packed in a temperature-controlled environment at 20°C.
The improvement brings two benefits. Firstly, maintaining a controlled temperature makes it easier to handle a sensitive product such as table grapes and prevents the fruit from being exposed during packing to the high outdoor temperatures typical of the summer months. Secondly, it has significantly improved working conditions for employees.
