The export to the UK and Scandinavia of Lady Christl new potatoes from Majorca started on Sunday, reports Lola Olma for the Majorca Daily Bulletin. The centre of this export in Mallorca is of course Sa Pobla, where exporters still have some concerns because of Brexit uncertainties, but this year’s export is expected to be “normal”.
Joan Mateu, president of Mateu Export, reportedly says that “the flexibility has ended, and we must see how the UK will specify requirements from now on”. The UK represents 25% of Sa Pobla’s potato export market; “it would be a difficult one to replace”.
A further factor is phytosanitary control. The Balearics is the only potato-producing area of Spain that is free of Epitrix, the beetle that is found in many potato varieties. Farmers in the Balearics, Mateu notes, are not obliged to wash potatoes prior to export. “But there is a challenge with maintaining good phytosanitary control. For this, the regional agriculture ministry must have sufficient means.”
Source: Marjorca Daily Bulletin. Full report here
Photo: Marjorca Daily Bulletin
