"The summer broccoli campaign has just kicked off in Murcia, while the harvests of central and northern Europe have started earlier, resulting in an excessive supply that is pushing prices down." As long as Europe has so much availability of broccoli, I don't think prices will go up; we can only aim to cover the needs of the Spanish market," explains Francisco Mula, manager of Agrícola Santa Eulalia.
In any case, the domestic market is recording a growth in the consumption of both broccoli and cauliflower in the summer months, according to Francisco Mula.
"We have noticed that cauliflower consumption in Spain is increasing during the summer months. Our cauliflower has earned the trust of the vast majority of supermarket chains in Spain. It is true that the popularity of broccoli has grown a lot in recent years and this upward trend continues, but it seems that cauliflower is now enjoying a 'second youth', going back to the minds of consumers after having been forgotten for a few years. If we offer quality at the right price, consumers continue to consume, regardless of the time of year."
75% of the annual production of broccoli is planted during the winter and autumn months in the coastal areas of Murcia, where it continues to be grown, despite difficulties with the water supply. Meanwhile, in summer, there is a preference for lands between 800 and 1,000 metres above sea level, where temperatures are milder.
Agrícola Santa Eulalia produces and markets about 25 million kilos of broccoli and about 8 million kilos of cauliflower. "At the moment, we are selling the broccoli and cauliflower mainly to the domestic market and to the United Arab Emirates. We work with importers from the Middle East all year round, as Spanish broccoli has positioned itself in many markets around the world thanks to its quality, which is usually to be trusted."
