MURCIA: IN SPAIN’S GARDEN

 MURCIA: IN SPAIN’S GARDEN

Hebany Group in partnership with “Governing Council of the Region of Murcia” organized a conference in Dubai with an aim to publicize the fruits and vegetables in Murcia, a city in south-eastern part of Spain.

The speaker of the first session was Víctor Manuel Martínez Muñoz, Secretary General of the Department of Water, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and the Environment, Murcia which was followed by another session by María Elena García Redon, Chief of Agri-Food Promotion Service, Murcia. The session also saw AgroMark which was represented by Nacho Domenech and ApoExpa represented by Rafael Molina.

The main aim of these sessions was to draw attention of the world towards the fruits and vegetables grown in this region. 

Murcia, is a region known for agriculture and tourism across Spain.  The prominent fruits of this region are lemons, stone grapefruit, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, table grapes and PDO Jumilla pears. Whereas some of vegetables grown here include peppers, broccoli, artichokes, tomatoes and celery stand out. These products are need Mediterranean climate with mild and moderate rainfall for which Murcia is ideal. All these factors have led Murcia to be recognized as the garden of Spain

It is considered as one of the most fertile and prosperous lands of Spain, and for more than 100 years, an agricultural industry has been developed based on quality and environmental balance, with a high percentage of drip irrigation. The outstanding investment in R+D+i to guarantee the viability of the new crops implanted and the profitability of the traditional ones.

The year 2021 saw an increased of 1.6% in production of vegetables in this region, totaling 5.7 million tons and 9% in value, totaling 6,576 million euros, with peppers being the most sold vegetable abroad. On the other hand, fruit grew by 3% in volume and 6% in value, totaling 7.6 million tons and 9,104 million euros, highlighting the growth of strawberries and stone fruit (peach and nectarine).

Exports of fresh fruit and vegetables grew by 7.4% in value in 2021, to 15,689 million euros, and 2.6% in production, to 13.4 million tons. Specifically, 94% of exports were destined throughout Europe and the United Kingdom.