Spain’s biggest cooperative grouping, Anecoop, is on course to exceed its sales record in 2014/15. Although the company does not publish its annual results until its annual general meeting in March, marketing manager Carlota Pardo told Fruitnet that it had surpassed the previous record set two years previously in both sales value and volume.
The company announced a raft of new initiatives as it embarked on its 40th anniversary year, starting with the launch of the You&Anecoop campaign which recognises the contribution made by its members, employees and customers throughout its history.
It has also opened a new office in Valle del Ebro from which it plans to build its stonefruit offer and becoming a leading player in the industry.
“Boosting our presence in the region will enable us to expand our varietal portfolio and extend our production season,” said Pardo. “Last season we produced around 50,000 tonnes of stonefruit, of which 20 per cent was from northern Spain. Our aim is to double our output within the next two years both by incorporating new members and through agreements with regional producers.”
This season also marks the launch of the latest addition to the company’s Bouquet Exotic line, Valencia-grown kiwifruit. Output will reach 200 tonnes in 2015/16, rising to 2,000-3,000 tonnes over the next three years, Pardo said.
Anecoop is also increasing its presence in Europe’s booming organics market. In early 2015 its French subsidiary set up Solagora in a bid to improve its organics sourcing and while its initial focus will be on developing sales in France, eventually it will become a platform serving all of the group’s European customers. According to Pardo, organic sales are expected to hit 10,000 tonnes this season, of which 4,000 tonnes will be citrus, 4,000 tonnes vegetables and the remainder made up of other assorted fruits.
