Spain: Tomato exports from Morocco exceed Almería's figures for the first time

The horticultural campaign that has just ended has been mainly marked, in the second part of the cycle, by the coronavirus health crisis. In spite of this, sales have responded quickly to the challenge of supplying vegetables to the whole of Europe in a context of great uncertainty. The sector was even able to increase sales of courgette and aubergine in March and April.

The most striking fact in the whole report is that, for the first time in the historic series analyzed (from 2009/2010 to 2019/2020), tomato exports from Morocco (486,878 tons) exceed those of Almería (417,826 tons).

Transition campaign

In general, the average results differ little from those obtained a year earlier (Fig. 1): marketed production falls by 2% and prices increase by the same percentage. As a result, income remains stable.

The current cost rises by 2%: the fall in oil input prices was blunted by the increase in labor. As a result, the current margin shows a reduction identical to the cost increase.

“This campaign can be considered as a transition towards a period of strong unknowns that will start to emerge at the end of the year. It remains to be seen how the continuation of the pandemic or the economic crisis may affect the horticultural sector in Almería”, Luis Miguel Fernández, manager of Coexphal, said.

However, when comparing this season with the average of the five previous ones, prices fall by 1%, marketing grows by 2% and, therefore, income increases by 1%. It is striking that, in this case, there is a 15% deterioration in the margin.

Tomato

This produce continues its downward trend in production: 8% less than last season and 14% less than the average of the last five years. Due to the loss of profitability, a transfer to other vegetables is still being developed.

Apart from exports already mentioned above, tomato imports are another important concern. During the campaign that is now ending, they exceeded 200,000 tons. The evolution of imports from Morocco is very interesting; from the 2013/2014 season to the current one, there has been an increase of around 350% (Fig. 2).

Other vegetables

Paprika continued its growth trend, which has been going on for more than 10 years. In fact, production increased by 16% over the last 5 seasons and 7% over the last one.

The volume of cucumber commercialized maintained its growing trend, with an increase of 25 %. A positive variation of 8% of income was also observed.

The aubergine marketed increased significantly this season: by 11%. In fact, for years now, there has been a continuous increase in this crop.

Zucchini, like aubergine, increased prices and production in March and April.

Watermelon marketing showed a 16% drop. We must remember that last year it grew by 12%.

Melon has behaved similarly to watermelon while lettuce marketing experienced a 5% drop.

For Fernández, the main issues affecting the sector, apart from COVID-19, are:

(1) the reform of the Food Chain Law, (2) the increase in labor costs and the reduction of margins, (3) the reputation of the sector against "unfair" attacks, (4) the insecurity of Brexit, (5) competition from third countries and (6) the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the companies and Almería’s business model.

Source: valenciafruits.com