Afruex, upbeat about new campaign

Afruex (the association of Extremadura fruit producers) had a good 2021 season, with a crop reaching 85% of its production potential, i.e. almost 300,000 tons. As stocks were low overall, the season went well. As Extremadura is Europe’s main plum-producing region, Afruex exports to many customers in the EU (e.g. Portugal and Germany)  as well as overseas (e.g. Brazil, South Africa, UAE). However, given the rising costs this year, the association is changing how it operates. “We are facing a very challenging campaign due to the 60% increase in production costs compared to 2020, which is huge. But we will see how the logistics issues evolve regarding the availability of containers and sea transport problems, and we can work better,” said managing director Miguel Ángel Gómez-Cardoso.