The artichoke harvest campaign kicked off with a notable delay this year due to the strong summer heat and the high temperatures that have been reached this autumn, which have delayed the plant's growth. Consequently, the production is slightly smaller than in previous years and the first artichokes have reached higher prices, exceeding the 70 cents per kilo.
However, this situation is expected to normalize in a week, when the production will be fully developed. The supply will then increase and the price should drop. For producers, a good price at origin should never fall below 65 cents per kilo. Last year, the campaign started with an average of 68 cents per kilo, the same price with which the 2017 season came to a close. In May of 2018, however, the last batches barely reached 0.58 Euro. This 15% drop was due to competition from countries such as Peru and Egypt.
While growers are afraid of competing countries, especially in terms of prices (rather than in terms of quality), the fear to water shortages is even stronger. According to sources of the Vega Baja del Segura Artichoke Association, the acreage devoted to the crop in the region has stagnated at 2,000 hectares, and it is not expanding despite the product's profitability. This is mostly due to the lack of water. The producers do not dare planting more artichokes for fear of losing part of the production, and they recall that the maintenance of the Tajo-Segura transfer is vital for the survival of the agricultural activity.
With this acreage, the production is expected to exceed 25,000 tons, a similar volume to that of the latest campaign, which reached 26,000 tons. Of course, the actual amount of artichokes distributed by the Vega Baja won't be clear until the second harvest, which is the one that makes the difference.
La Vega Baja has consolidated as the second largest producer of artichokes nationwide, only behind Murcia. It is, without a doubt, the most profitable winter crop. The region, which has its own quality brand, accounts for 50% of Spain's sales abroad, which total about 11,000 tons per year. The problem that has once again raised concerns this campaign is the competition against canned artichokes, since the Peruvian cost six times less to produce. As a result, some countries, such as the United States, decide to import from the South American country because of its much cheaper prices. As for Egypt, which is the world's second largest artichoke producer, ahead of Spain, its competition is mostly felt in the frozen industry.
