Majorca potato exports suffer

PALMA
EXPORTS of Majorcan potatoes fell by 20.27 percent during the first six months of 2007. A total of 20'500 tons were exported.
The reason for the fall was the bad weather especially the strong winds and rain in the north of Majorca during the months of March and April.
According to an economic report by the Balearic Government for the third quarter, the monetary value of the exports, which is even more significant, has also gone down, being 10.3 million euros, some 36.09 percent less than during the same period of 2006.

The two main markets, to which nearly 90 percent of the Majorcan potato crop is sold to, are the United Kingdom and Denmark.
However, while the United Kingdom's imports of 11.7 tons were less than half of the exported crop (24.33 percent), and had a lower value of 6.06 million euros (46.71 percent less), Denmark's imports showed a significant increase of 11.62 percent, importing 5'694 tons. Their imports also increased in value by 25.03 percent to 2.9 million euros.

The rest of the products which form the total of Majorcan agricultural exports also showed a decrease during this period, with the exception of wines and liqueurs, of which a total of 158.1 tons were sold (32.19 percent more) for a value of 1.4 million euros.

The carob was the product which suffered the greatest setback, with just 403 tons being exported (a drop of 77.1 percent) with a value of 356'000 euros (58.77 percent less).

Other exports were also significantly reduced, such as almonds with a total of 47.8 tons (62.24 percent less) with a value of 207'900 euros (70.98 percent less), according to the report.