The Meseguer establishments started their stone fruit season over a month ago with the Spanish origin. “This year, the season is very complicated,” explains Benoît Maillard-Guillon of the import company specialized in stone fruits, among others. “There were some problems with the production because of the terrible weather conditions of the past months in all the producing regions of Spain.”

Limited offer because of the weather
The bad weather has severely impacted the volumes available and the quality of the harvest. “The supply is very limited this year because the orchards were badly impacted, and also because we had to make quite a selection when sorting the fruit in order to offer the best quality. Unfortunately, retailers have not really played their part in terms of prices, which remained very high and therefore impacted sales. This season is particularly complicated for both production and marketing.”

Increasingly popular premium range 
This situation has pushed Spain to favor its domestic market, which is doing better than the export market, with a good demand and limited supply. “In spite of all this, we have managed to be present on the French market this year by supplying our clients with apricots, peaches and nectarines from Spain, of the usual premium quality. Our clientele is loyal and the demand for these products has grown in recent years. The previous season was great. We have improved in terms of the taste quality of our varieties, which were also very well marketed. Today, some of our clients who used to buy only French products also want some merchandise from Spain because of the quality.”

The Meseguer establishments will end their Murcia apricot season in about two weeks. The Badaroz season will end in three weeks and the province of Lleida in early September, which is at least a month earlier than usual.

The Corsican campaign looks very promising
In addition to the Spanish origin, the company also sells stone fruits from Corsica under its own “Revelation” brand. “The quality of the Corsican origin looks particularly good this year. Our own brand also has the HEV certification, as we wish to offer the best quality. Consumers are waiting eagerly for the merchandise from Corsica but we will start only when the taste quality is just right. Our goal is not to be the first to start the season but truly to focus on quality. Of course, this level of quality has a cost but our clients continue to ask for more, so placing this product on the shelves really pays off.”

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com