Murcia’s producer and exporter association, Proexport, held its annual general meeting on Friday, at which members analysed prospects for the 2008-09 season and looked back on last season, which saw the region sell 50 per cent more fruit and vegetables year on year.
Proexport president Miguel Durán told the meeting that the global economic crisis could have a negetaive effect on the profitability of the sector by “reducing consumption of fresh produce and intensifying the low pricing policies of Europe’s large supermarket chains”.
Durán said that although the prospects appear positive for Murcia, with similar volumes expected to last season, companies in the Spanish region should not feel themselves immune to the crisis, but they can contribute to the stability of the regional and nacional economy.
On a different note, Durán told Ramón Luís Valcárcel, president of the regional authority of Murcia “we must solve the water shortage problem” and called for an end to the “unsettling double language” he claims is being used by politicians in the region on the issue of water. Durán offered the support of growers and businesses to any measure that moves to solve the problem.
He then turned on what he feels is unfair competition from Morocco as a “privileged member of the EU” and said the support of EU politicians for the north African country must be matched in Spain by domestic support for the country’s growers. He said that despite the situation, the horticulture sector in Murcia has “remained competitive, maintained its levels of employment and continued to generate significant income for the region”.
The meeting also recognised José Hernández, president of Grupo Hortofrutícola Paloma, who was president of Proexport for 15 years, with the Golden Tomato award, which is the highest honour handed out by the region’s fresh produce industry. Durán said Hernández was receiving the award “in recognition of services to the horticulture sector and to Proexport, for fostering a spirit of co-operation within the sector, and for showing profound respect for our agriculture”.
Hernandez is also president of the tomato comittee of FEPEX, the Spanish exporters association, and joint president of the European Tomato Producers Group.
