In August, sales have been rather slow for the Spanish table grape sector compared to the previous season, especially considering the excellent off-season campaign. Successive heat waves have had an impact on the ripening, growth, and coloring of the red varieties.
"Although we don't have a reason to complain about this year's sales volume, the demand has certainly been quite slow since the end of July and throughout August, especially in the domestic market," says Miriam Cutillas, sales and marketing director of Uvasdoce Fresh.
© Uvasdoce Fresh
"Exports in Europe have been livelier, although at the moment the demand is also rather quiet and prices have been affected by the abundant supply, which is putting pressure on the markets. Fortunately, our prices are holding up well, since 95% of our production goes to previously agreed supply programs with supermarket chains," she says.
"It is worth recalling that the markets are usually slow in August, although due to the unusually high demand in August last year and the very high consumption of imported fruit in the off-season months, the prospects for the current domestic season were perhaps too optimistic," says Miriam Cutillas.
Demand is expected to improve from September onwards, coinciding with the end of the summer holiday period and the start of the school year. "We are confident that sales will pick up again from the second week of September. Moreover, in the Spanish market, grape consumption is traditionally closely associated with the months of September and October," says the sales director of Uvasdoce Fresh.
Successive heat waves this summer have caused grapes to ripen more quickly; in some areas, there have even been some Brix issues in white grapes, as well as a lack of color in certain red varieties. Moreover, according to Miriam Cutillas, this year's calibers are generally smaller due to the high temperatures.
For more information:
Miriam Cutillas
Uvasdoce Fresh
Ctra. Monforte-Agost km. 6,9
Partida de las Norias n.º 188
Tel.: +34 965 620 125
[email protected]
www.uvasdoce.com