Spanish fresh produce giant Anecoop has announced record turnover of €485m for the 2009/10 season, up 4 per cent on the previous season, despite a 7 per cent decrease in export volume to 624,400 tonnes.
According to a company press release, the positive performance was driven by the Valencia-based cooperative’s citrus and fruit businesses.
Anecoop said its citrus sales rose by 1.3 per cent value despite a 14 per cent decline in marketed volume, while overall fruit sales increased by 13.5 per cent in value although volume remained the same as last season.
Within the fruit category, Anecoop’s stonefruit, watermelon and Kaki persimmon sales rose by 73 per cent in value to €45, €48m and €18m respectively.
For vegetables, Anecoop recorded fairly stable results with a light decrease in sales volume and value of 0.8 per cent and 1 per cent respectively due to weather complications at the beginning of the season.
The results have translated into “better prices for the growers and greater profitability for members”, the company explained.
During the season, the group said Germany ranked as the leading destination for its exports, absorbing close to 132,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables, ahead of France (with 131,000 tonnes) and Spain (75,000 tonnes).
Anecoop also supplied Switzerland, the UK, Italy, the Czech republic and Poland last season. Sendings to eastern Europe rose by 16 per cent alone.
