The loquat harvest has already started in the Spanish municipality of Callosa d’en Sarriá, and next week, the fruit, which was introduced to Spain by merchant sailors more than 2,000 years ago and found a perfect habitat in the Callosa d’en Sarrià area, will reach large-scale retail.

“After two seasons marked by drought, this year we have high hopes for a campaign in which we are expecting larger fruit than in previous years thanks to the rains in March, which fell at the right time, when the fruit was in the growing phase prior to harvesting,” says Andrés Llorca Fornés, Managing Director of Cooperativa Agrícola de Callosa d’en Sarrià.

“We are facing a completely different scenario to that of the last two years, when the drought wreaked havoc. The total production fell by between 20% and 25%, and the fruit arriving in the warehouses was too small. This year we are starting with much more positive expectations, and moreover, the season is also starting quite early.”

“What this season has in common with previous ones is that, due to inflation, the costs of the necessary inputs are still very high, and this rise has to be passed on to the fruit’s final price,” says Andrés.

“As far as we are concerned, we have made a very strong commitment to large-scale retail”
Loquat is a fruit of growing interest in European markets and, thanks to the strategy of producers such as the Cooperativa Agrícola de Callosa d’en Sarrià, it is reaching more and more markets and clients. “For our part, we have made a very strong commitment to large-scale retail, to the point that loquat is now available in practically all large and small supermarket chains in Spain, as well as in wholesale markets.”

“Loquat also has the advantage of being a very new fruit at this time of year. In fact, it is the first spring fruit to arrive on the shelves. It’s a very different fruit compared to winter products. Thanks to its sweet taste with a touch of sourness, loquat has very loyal customers, and their numbers are growing every season. Those who are passionate about this fruit are already looking forward to its arrival on the shelves in just a few days,” says Andrés.

For more information:
Cooperativa Agrícola de Callosa d’en Sarrià
Partida Armaig s/n – 03510 – Callosa d’en Sarrià, Alicante, Spain
Tel.: +34 965 880 100
[email protected]
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