Exporters in Spain's Canary Islands have made their first shipment of tomatoes of the 2011/12 season, some 15 days earlier than forecast, amid expectations that the sector will at the very least match volumes produced during the previous campaign despite economic and pest control problems.
The first shipment of 657 tonnes destined for the UK was realised by exporters through Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, with the first volumes from the neighbouring island of Tenerife expected in late October or early November.
In total, 110,500 tonnes of tomatoes were exported from the islands last season and Domingo Mendoza, from exporter association Fedex-Aceto, told Spanish daily El Día that producers were hopeful of maintaining a similar level of exports or even increase volumes should the season remain relatively free of pest and weather related difficulties.
Jorge Brotons, president of major Spanish fresh produce marketer Bonnysa, also predicted that this season will match the previous campaign in terms of tomato output, despite the fact that volumes have been decreasing year on year as smaller producers find it harder to sell their tomatoes.
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