Quico Peiró, the company’s Operations Director, explains: “The annual crop forecast announcement does a disservice to the entire citrus sector, because what really matters is not what is expected to be harvested, but the percentage of fruit that can actually be marketed. An 80% marketable yield is very different from 60%.”
The Valencian company began the season on a strong footing, particularly in clementines, although October hailstorms caused damage to part of the production.
Peiró also stresses the sector’s difficulties under current legislation, which prevents growers from using effective tools to control pests — particularly red spider mite, which has caused severe damage. “This situation significantly reduces profitability, productivity and the ability of Spanish agriculture to compete with non-European suppliers.”
Added to this are recurring structural issues, such as the influx of South African citrus into major European supermarket chains until late November — a pattern repeated again this year and in previous seasons. “The arrival and prolonged presence of Southern Hemisphere fruit in Northern European cold stores worsens every year and creates a bottleneck that is increasingly difficult to manage.”
Retail bets on Cañamás
The Valencian company continues to strengthen its position in European retail. It has been a trusted supplier to Carrefour for 24 years, and this season, within the retailer’s long-standing commitment framework with strategic suppliers, Cañamás will increase citrus sales to Carrefour by 20% over the next three years.
Carrefour Círculo de Calidad in Spain and Filière Qualité Carrefour — the labels under which Cañamás citrus is sold — include several sustainability pillars: soil management, water use, phytosanitary practices and postharvest treatments.
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In this respect, all aspects related to environmental protection — from reducing water footprint to minimising the use of synthetic products for pest control — form part of Cañamás’ daily work both in the field and in its packing facilities.
