Spain’s fresh-cut sales increased by 8 per cent during the first six months of 2010 compared with the same period a year earlier, which the sector believes reflects a growing interest among Spanish and European consumers in ready-to-eat products.
According to Spanish fresh-cut industry body Afhorla, the sector marketed a total of 36,143 tonnes of ready-to-eat fruit and vegetables between January and June this year, up from 33,455 tonnes during the first half of 2009.
Vegetables account for by far the bulk of the sector’s products, with sales rising by 8 per cent to 35,447 tonnes during the six months, while fresh-cut fruit sales increased by 14 per cent to 666 tonnes.
In a statement, the organisation said that the positive figures reflected a growing interest among consumers across Europe in fresh-cut products, although it said that it was “concerned” by the fact that the sector’s turnover had not increased in line with volumes.
Spain’s fresh-cut sector currently has an annual business value totalling €200m, some 85 per cent of which corresponds to members of Afhorla.
