Fresh-cut

Major Spanish fresh produce grower-marketer Anecoop has decided to close its fresh-cut salad subsidiary Mediterránea de Ensaladas after it failed to meet the group’s commercial expectations over the past two years.

The prepared salads specialist is scheduled to hold an extraordinary general meeting on 13 July to confirm the closure of the company, Anecoop president Juan Safont told Diario Levante.

Mr Safont admitted to the publication that it was “true” that Anecoop’s subsidiary had not achieved an opening in the fresh-cut market, adding that it was “better to close than to lose money”.

However, he added: “At the moment, it is not clear what we are going to do – if close the company for good or put the project on hiatus for two or three years to see whether matters improve.”

Mr Safont also blamed the present economic downturn for the Mediterránea de Ensaladas’ lack of sales, explaining that fresh-cut salads’ higher price points appeared to be dissuading consumers from purchasing them.