The current tomato campaign in Murcia is marked by very low prices, despite production volumes being similar to 2011. Oversupply comes from abroad. "We are facing a very average season; oversupply from the Netherlands and Morocco is making prices plunge," explains Paloma Hernández, of Grupo Paloma. "Unfortunately, this downward trend in prices gets worse every year. The recent agreements between the EU and Morocco will entail further damage to our interests regarding tomatoes."Nevertheless, unlike in other regions, it appears Murcia has not suffered quality problems due to excess of moisture in the early stages of the campaign. "We have not had problems with spots. The quality is excellent."
With more than 700 hectares of plantations along the coast of Águilas and Mazarrón, Paloma is a family business growing tomatoes with their own seeds, besides other products, like seedless table grapes, stone fruit and pomegranates.
The firm sells all sorts of tomatoes under the brand PALOMA, exporting to all European countries, including Russia and Eastern Europe. The varieties sold include round, pear and on the vine tomatoes, as well as its exclusive cherry variety, called Sugardrop.
All its products have the GlobalGap quality certification and its two horticultural production plants are BRC and IFS-certified. "Quality and innovation are the two cornerstones of our business," concludes Paloma Hernández.
