Editorial
In the name of sustainability: plastiKazi
In the name of sustainability, Spain will be the only European country to adopt stupid steps, which have already been turned down by some countries and postponed by others, such as our neighbour Italy. I am referring to the fact that fruit and vegetables in formats of less than one and a half kilos cannot be packaged in plastic.
Profile of the month
Carlos Ledó, a serial entrepreneur
We are at the iconic Veles i Vents de la Marina building in Valencia. Bavaria, the sailing catamaran belonging to the professional entrepreneur Carlos Ledó (Valencia, 1974) is moored in front of us.
Citrus fruits
There is no room for ‘small producers’
At the same time as small producers and operators of limited volumes are disappearing, the producers who are best placed and can serve all year long are growing. And in many cases, they do so accompanied by investment funds.
Main citrus fruit data from around the world
The World Citrus Association, along with CIRAD have published the world citrus fruit production statistics for the 21/22 campaign
New natural treatments against ‘mealybugs’
These plant protection methods are developed using natural substances in a controlled application against this pest.
Cañamás: true to its brand quality philosophy
Cañamás Hermanos, one of the Spanish companies that is best-known for its categorical commitment to brand value, will continue being true to its philosophy in spite of the moments of economic uncertainty
Goal: cost reductions in citrus fruit warehouses
Process automation encourages the reduction of production costs with a swift amortisation.
“Prices won’t make up for the lack of kilos”
In Andalusia, as in the rest of Spain, the campaign is sharing common factors: the lack of volume, even with good prices, is putting the profits on the line.
A giant is born: Bollo and Natural Fruit confirm their alliance
The Valencian citrus fruit growing sector continues to become more concentrated with the announcement of the merging of Bollo and The Natural Fruit Company, a company partly owned by the investment funds Fremman and GPF Capital.
Beneficial nematodes vs. open air pests
Koppert is presenting two innovative biological solutions suitable for conventional and eco farming.
brassicas and leaf
Consumption drops, with earlier crops
Lettuce productions from south-eastern Spain are experiencing an unusual situation, with two simultaneous factors marking the current campaign .
“Anyone not investing in self-consumption will be left behind”
Interview with Juan Marín, General Manager of Campo de Lorca/Cricket.
From Japan to Murcia
Top Seeds continues promoting its broccoli development programme, backed by its Japanese parent company.
“Mechanisation is already here”
Bayer is getting ahead of the revolution being implanted in the fields with varieties such as Andersia, with a raised head for mechanised harvesting .
Solid Rib and Ice Stem, important commitments by Syngenta
The company is maintaining its sales and continues to put the emphasis on innovation in a year complicated by inflation and adverse weather conditions.
Sakata’s new options in broccoli
Leónidas, an autumn variety ideal for export, has now been added to Purple Magic.
“Cauliflower is stabilising and growing slightly in eco”
That fact is confirmed by sources at Enza Zaden, which is adding new references such as Moncayo (E40W716) for the autumn segment, and Lhotse (E40W741) in late cycle for mid-winter.
Mechanise or die
Efficiency is becoming an increasingly determining factor for business survival, and at Rijk Zwaan they are offering materials that are ‘machinable’ for transplanting and harvesting.
seeds
Valdemar F1, the piel de sapo for greenhouse crops
The successor of HM.CLAUSE’s Valverde F1 variety offers resistance to aphids and powdery mildew and earlier ripening.
Flavour, Intersemillas’ strong point
Aware that the flavour parameter is the most in demand by end consumers, the seed company continues researching to keep this element at the highest level in all its varieties.
Bayer is renewing its portfolio with Mazinger
The company has added a new beefsteak tomato to its range.
Barreiros: resistance to Lt in Lamuyo
Yield and sustainability. These are the centre points of Bayer’s new developments in the Lamuyo pepper segment.
Seminis’ new QR generation
Vegetables by Bayer is taking a further step in the line of Liga Super Root Non Stop with the Prime Presentation of the first material from its new generation of cucumbers.
Siriana: IR to New Delhi in Syngenta’s cucumbers
Syngenta’s latest development arrives with a complete package of resistances, including intermediate resistance to the dreaded New Delhi virus.
Apple
Nufri and Livinda are giving visibility to mental disorders
Offering support to elite athletes when they leave competitive sport or help for their work and social reinsertion are some outstanding issues that need to be answered.
Rivoira’s SAMBOA project comes into existence
The new segment of extra-sweet apples, made up of the varieties Luiza, Venice and Isadora, is starting its first sales campaign.
“Working alongside the distribution would be more advisable”
The significant experience of Josep María Cornell, Manager of Girona Fruits, makes him think that joint production-distribution work would be more advantageous.
Clubs: exhausted or oversized?
Club apples are no longer a guarantee of success. This is one of the main conclusions reached by European experts at the Pomatec congress held in December in the town of Torroella de Montgrí.
Robotics is speeding up
The main harvesting robot manufacturers are speeding up their times to present the market with the ideal model, which could replace harvesting by hand. The sector is expectant, but there are still many technical loose-ends to be outlined.
The disruptive campaign “Look after yourself as apples look after you,” by AGR Food Marketing
The Spanish consultancy company, with over 35 years of experience in strategy, marketing and communication for the Spanish agrifood sector, has started up an innovative campaign for promoting apple eating. With the message “Look after yourself as apples look after you” the campaign will promote healthy habits amongst their target group: young people.
“We sell service”
Completely focused on the large distribution sector, Miquel Roig, Manager of Fructícola Empordà, insists that what makes the company he manages stand out is its service.
Robots are reaching Giropoma Costa Brava
In the spring, the Catalan company will launch its first automated preparation line.
Apple: Cross-cutting issues throughout all the categories
Passing on the increase in production costs to the end prices in an economic situation marked by inflation, which is translated into an important increase
Business
Zespri’s global supply programme is celebrating its 20th anniversary
This method means a commitment to supply maximum quality kiwis throughout the entire year.
Flavour and climate change: PSB’s challenges
PSB Producción Vegetal is a plant breeder, established in Murcia, specialising in variety innovation and stone fruit production.
ornamental plants
Almeria, the leader in Poinsettia
Euphorbia pulcherrima, more commonly known as the Poinsettia, plays a starring role at Christmas, and its presence in many households marks the start of the festivities.
Top speed ornamental plants
Solisplant adapts to the changes in the sector and is trying to surprise consumers with new Poinsettia proposals during the Christmas season. This year they will produce 312,000 units.
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