Spanish fresh produce cooperative SAT San Cayetano has consolidated its position this season as one of the country’s principal celery producers, with volumes reaching over 8,000 tonnes this campaign.
The Murcia-based company said it had also experienced a positive pepper campaign of similar levels to last season, with an estimated 20,000 tonnes of products being exported to a number of different international markets.
San Cayetano exports some 80 per cent of its celery to the UK, although it also counts the Spanish national market, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Ireland and Switzerland among its clients.
However, San Cayetano managing director José García Ruiz (pictured) said returns had been affected this season by a 25 per cent fall in the value of the pound against the euro compared with last year, which he said was also affecting sales.
The cooperative also looks set to suffer a disappointing 2008/09 citrus campaign, with volumes expected to fall to 10,000 tonnes compared with the 25,000 tonnes produced during the 2007/08 season.
San Cayetano, which is based in the town of Torre Pacheco, is made up of 141 grower members who together farm 2,188ha of fruit and vegetables. Peppers represent the cooperative’s most important product, but it also counts citrus, broccoli, celery, cauliflower, lettuce, artichokes and melons among its range.
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