SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Oct 1 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Association of Organizations of Producers of Avocados of the Canary Islands (Asguacan) informs this Friday that it has detected malpractice in the commercialization of avocado in the Canarian market in anticipation of the harvest and that, in conjunction with the regional administration, it will coordinate the different efforts to maximize control of the ripening conditions of the fruit.
In this regard, the association, which concentrates 93% of the avocado production through the Organizations of Producers of Fruits and Vegetables (OPFH), has made itself available to the Canarian Institute of Agrifood Quality (ICCA) to work on the elaboration of a proposal for specific regulations for this fruit and thus ensure that the optimum level of quality recognized in the Canarian avocado is maintained, both in terms of production and marketing.
Asguacan denounces in a note that since the end of August some avocado trading companies have placed avocado lots in certain supermarkets that do not meet the optimal ripening conditions because they have advanced the avocado harvesting and marketing campaign that should have been carried out at the end of the month of September.
The association warns that early harvesting is a “very bad practice” that “endangers” the prestige of the Canary Islands avocado, affecting the quality of the product, defrauding the end consumer and generating inefficiencies in the market, “with excessive prices for the purchase of a fruit that does not ripen well, that has no flavor and that even rot “.
Thus, it specifies that the avocado is a fruit that does not reach its consumption maturity while it is on the tree, so it is important to know the right time to cut it and that the ripening process is optimal.
Along these lines, he points out that to ensure the quality of the product to the final consumer, the trading companies must control and guarantee the minimum content, both of oil and dry matter.
In this way, it indicates that the avocado in its ripeness of consumption will not wrinkle or rot, and will reach its flavor to the maximum.
INCENTIVE FOR THEFT
In addition to all this, it indicates that “the high price for anticipating the campaign is an incentive for thefts, is detrimental to producers and generates a black market in establishments making tax taxation difficult.”
Therefore, Asguacan makes a call to the collective not to disappoint the expectations of the consumer or undermine the good reputation of the Canarian avocado that, it insists, in optimal conditions is recognized inside and outside of Spain for its excellent quality and flavor.
Regarding the emergency situation after the eruption on La Palma, the association has made itself available to the authorities and is evaluating the damage caused by the volcano to provide support to avocado farms that have been affected along with the surfaces banana plantations, vineyards and other crops located on the lava path.
