What is your vision and experience when it comes to securing innovation in a traditional sector like this?
The dried fruit sector, and I am talking essentially about the almond and walnut sector because they are owned by our employees, has modernized significantly over the last 10 years. During this period, new plantations were renovated and built, using the most innovative techniques and the best that has been made in the world. The efficiency in the use of resources and inputs observed in other crops finds its greatest expression in the new almond and walnut plantations. It is a sector that has responded quickly to the challenge of innovation. This proves that there is much to improve. And the observed evolution did not only take place in one region, but takes place from north to south of the country.
Is sustainability more expensive for the producer? Or is it a myth?
When looking at the long term, being sustainable is the best investment. Our goal is to pass on the natural resources that our properties make available to us to the next generations in a more favorable situation than when we found them. As producers of perennial crops, this aspect is becoming increasingly important. It is necessary to know the basic situation very well, plan and act in terms of what can be improved and what should be maintained or promoted, in order to achieve the objective of maintaining the productive capacity of our farms in the long term.
What are the challenges in terms of water management, this increasingly scarce resource in the country and in the Alentejo in particular?
Years like these clearly show how inevitable it is to think about water and irrigation in a strategic way, considering different strategic storage options to cope with years of scarcity or with a rain regime that is very concentrated in winter, and not in a reactive way. only when we experience extremely serious situations. According to scientific warnings, years like this are becoming more frequent and we could have 6 to 7 droughts every 10 years by the end of this century, in the most vulnerable regions. These are projections that warn us of the urgency to take immediate action. We have some time, but not to waste.
Is innovation moving towards a more efficient use of resources, even to respond to climate change?
This is really what is expected of innovation. And let it be disturbing. That which seems impossible today can be widely used tomorrow. Knowing the “relationship” between plant roots and water in the soil, knowing exactly how much and when to water and fertilizer to apply are areas where innovation will continue to provide precise answers, which will be turned into technology, very well received and quickly taken over by the rulers, for the benefit of all.
In terms of environmental taxonomy, what are the challenges and opportunities for the nut industry?
The European Union’s environmental taxonomy defines a framework that classifies activities as environmentally sustainable, according to compliance with technical assessment criteria. Based on this assessment, the activities may or may not be eligible for financial investment instruments. Permanent crops can be included if they demonstrate their ability to contribute significantly to at least one of the six well-defined environmental objectives, without seriously endangering any of the other five. Carbon conservation in tree biomass and protection of biodiversity on a large scale or other sustainable practices are examples that can enable financial investments that accelerate the EU’s environmental goals in the European Green Deal. But they are challenges that the sector will be aware of and can capitalize on opportunities.
What growth potential does the dried fruit sector have in the agricultural sector in 2023?
The dried fruit sector grew the most in the past 10 years due to investments by agricultural entrepreneurs from the Netherlands and abroad and through the use of PDR funds. Currently, new dried fruit orchards are still being established and the planted orchards are in different stages of growth, with different productivity. The almond tree is at the forefront of acreage expansion and has contributed in recent years with more than 25,000 hectares, which can yield more than 60,000 tons of almond kernels, representing an increased potential of 250 to 300 million euros. Domestic walnuts are still not enough to meet domestic demand. But it will continue to grow and it is in the Alentejo where this happens. The area has been multiplied by 4 and the volume produced has not yet followed this increase because we have young orchards that are not yet in full production.
How many markets does the cluster sell to?
Currently, the national production, especially almonds, is mainly exported to Spain. From Spain it goes to different geographies. However, we are already exploring markets such as Italian and German, among others. There is still potential for the development of the sector’s agro-industry, namely almonds, to create higher added-value products and allow us to expand sales to other markets and other types of customers. It should be noted that measures have been taken for the national market to promote the presence of national nuts on the shelves of major supermarkets. For example, a large distribution company replaced the brand “Amêndoas da California” with “Amêndoas” to allow imports of other origins, namely Portuguese.
And what else do you want to achieve this year?
In the specific case of almonds and walnuts on the European market, the aim is to partially replace imports, mainly from the US, with products grown and processed in Portugal. They are lower carbon footprint options as they have shorter supply chains.
Will the chain believe that with a green label it increases sales and PVP potential?
Consumer reactions are difficult to anticipate. But I believe that labeling based on a verification system that is credible and understandable to consumers could help with their choices. There will always be people who are willing to pay more for brands and products that meet their concerns and embody their values, and there will be others for whom this is not a priority. A green label, as he simply called it, will allow a differentiation of the offering and, I believe, the opening of other higher value market niches.
And are consumers willing to pay more? Pay for an eco-friendly PVP?
Yes, as I just said, this kind of behavior is already being noticed today. Not only in the field of nutrition, but also in other areas of consumption. They are ways of being and choices like any other. On the other hand, it should be mentioned that dried fruit is perhaps a crop of choice in terms of circularity and waste, as far as everything in the fruit is used, starting with the core, which can be used in different ways depending on the quality, and also the bark, with potential use as a biofertilizer, including for animal feed, for energy production. And because these are products with a long shelf life, they have little waste in the value chain and at the end consumer.
And what weight does this guarantee and added value of innovation and sustainability have in export markets? And how is it valued in different regions?
The Scandinavian countries show an environmental awareness by exercising their act of consumption by giving preference to products that meet these requirements.
How to attract investors/producers to this sector?
To create attractiveness for those who intend to enter and invest in these sectors, of predictability, with a simple legal framework without reducing demand, and with incentives for the promotion, improvement and export of national nuts. Unpredictability is what entrepreneurs like least, whether in these or other areas of activity. Portugal has soil and climate conditions that provide early production windows compared to other countries and has some predictability of water availability for more than one season, as is the case with the areas that benefit from Alqueva’s irrigation.
And how to attract qualified personnel?
Fortunately, this is one of the concerns that we have responded well to. Innovation in this sector and the application of technology have attracted qualified young people who are willing to learn even more. And the ability to competitively reward technicians compared to other related fields of work has led to their fixation.
Can this line help in the fight against desertification?
This is a very interesting issue… I will focus on the environmental issue, as value creation, economic activity and jobs generated have contributed to the development of the social fabric in the places where processors operate and where they construction of modern dry fruit plantations. To combat desertification, soil conservation and health are key. Our employees have increasingly understood this relevance and their farming practices aim for the lowest impact and are more regenerative. Respecting and restoring waterlines, minimizing or avoiding soil mobilization, keeping the soil vegetated all year round and promoting biodiversity, creating non-intervention zones and increasing connectivity between these zones and incorporating organic matter are techniques that contribute to the preservation of our soils and their productive capacity, halting desertification.
In dry fruits, and in the future, what will it be new black?
From a nutritional point of view and health benefits, dried fruits are extremely interesting and are increasingly recommended by health professionals to be included in a healthy diet, especially with natural dried fruits in a balanced dose. However, there are also many other opportunities to exploit dried fruits, especially as a snack, as an ingredient in various industries, especially pastries, and other uses such as vegetable drinks, oils, etc., opening up new consumption options, also interesting is the consumption of raw almonds and walnuts, in a more refined consumption and aimed at specific consumers.
Source: DN
