Fresh-cut

The volume of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables sold by Spanish companies during 2010 reached 70,600 tonnes – a 6 per cent increase compared with the previous year, thanks in part to a reduction in the price of the products.

According to data released by Spanish fresh-cut association Afhorla, the country marketed 69,100 tonnes of fresh-cut vegetables and 1,500 tonnes of ready-to-eat fruit during the year, up by 6 per cent and 9.5 per cent respectively from 2009.

The association, which represents an estimated 95 per cent of fresh-cut producers in Spain, said that sales were aided last year by a “significant reduction” in the average price per kilogramme of the products.

Afhorla added that by far the majority (81 per cent) of fresh-cut sales took place within the grocery retail sector, with the remainder sold to foodservice operators and restaurants.