South Africa selling a record proportion of fruit in ripe and ready to eat packs Increasing numbers of Spanish growers in Andalucia are converting avocado Hass, Fuerte, Bacon and Reed varieties to organic production to meet UK supermarket demands. Cieto Serrano, director of Eco-fruyser near Malaga (pictured, left) has been getting good results and is encouraged because yields are similar. Nearby competitor Miguel Gomez of Balcon de Europa estimates that premiums range between 20% and 50%. Spain is becoming increasingly significant for multiple buyers as fruit can be imported fast overland, cheaper and quicker than seafreight from other Mediterranean suppliers in the winter and spring. Latest crop estimates forecast Spanish organic and conventional production this season at 24% below capacity at 47,000 tonnes, of which 35,000 tonnes are exported. Despite the light crop year Spanish fruit has been sold on the market for a far longer season than usual. Last year, the total UK market was valued at £23m retail with multiples having an 81% share which is still climbing. There is particular growth in prepacked and ready ripened fruit which has risen from 31% to 36% of supermarket sales in the last three years [Taylor Nelson Sofres]. This year over 40% of South African Haas avocados sold through multiples, which also have an estimated 80% of sales, will be marketed in a record number of ripe and ready-to-eat packs, according to Chris Keevy, executive director of the South African Avocado Growers' Association. {{M/E FRESH PRODUCE }}

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