Grape Expectations

 

According to Gruventa, a Murcia based exporter, Spain's table grape crop could fall by as much as 28% over the course of the next 5 years.

Fermín Sánchez Navarro, the firm's GM told Europa Press "it is essential for Murcia's table grapes to take a venture into new international markets, while empowering their presence in the national market, as Murcia's production is of exceptional quality."

Sánchez also pointed that "the fall in production is also due to the need for a higher concentration in supply that would reduce production costs, as well as give value added to the growers' income."

Another issue for the industry to contend with is promotion. "It is very important to design a marketing campaign to intensify the promotion of grapes in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as other markets, like the United States."

"To differentiate ourselves from our competitors in third countries it is a priority to continue investing in quality and food safety, and for certifications as prestigious as Global GAP, in which we are an associated trading partner."

The majority of Spain's grape harvest is used for wine, with only a small percentage of suitable crops being used to export eating grapes to supermarkets and other clients overseas.