When a new year begins, it is necessary to look back a little and see what has happened in the previous year. In our case, there are two values that we keep a close eye on: how much we have produced and how much we have sold. And there is a product that in 2021 has taken ‘the palm’, it is the Peris pumpkin, which is already the third best-selling product for our company, behind melon and watermelon, which remain as our star products.
Within the total volume of pumpkin production, there is a typology that has taken off during 2021, it is the traditional varieties, which we work in three typologies, peanut, roteña and carruécano.
During 2021, we produced just over 885 thousand kilos of traditional varieties of pumpkin, an increase of 10%. The biggest upturn has been experienced by the roteña pumpkin, driven by the growth in sales of units destined for V range, which we present in ready-to-eat roasted portions.
Why did we choose the traditional varieties of cabalaza?
Traditional pumpkin varieties have significantly better organoleptic qualities than non-traditional varieties. This means that aspects such as color, aroma, texture and flavor are exceptional.
However, there is a ‘toll’ to be paid, and that is that its cultivation is much more complicated, the cost is higher and the fruits generated are more irregular. But for us it is all worth it because, as we say in our brand slogan, ‘Peris is quality’ and that is what we prioritize above all things.
Valencian roteña pumpkin for roasting, beats all records
The biggest take-off has been led by the roteña pumpkin, which is the one that is usually used for roasting. Sales growth was five times higher than in 2020. Approximately half of the production has been diverted to the pre-prepared convenience food division, where we roast them and prepare them in portions ready to eat and enjoy.
Also noteworthy is the increase experienced by the traditional peanut and carracaecano varieties , the latter with a 13% increase compared to 2020. Both peanuts and pecans have been marketed in the 1st range (whole pieces), 4th range (peeled and chopped) and 5th range (roasted), with presentations in different formats.
Organic pumpkin, which we market only for pre-prepared convenience food, has also experienced a notable increase in sales, with 20% more kilos sold in 2021 compared to the previous year.
Research and improvement of traditional varieties of pumpkin.
Since we started producing and marketing pumpkin more than 20 years ago, a percentage of our pumpkin production has always been destined to traditional varieties. This ratio has been increasing year after year until it has now exceeded the commercialization of hybrid varieties.
This work with traditional varieties has meant for us the implementation of research and innovation processes associated with the recovery of seeds, the selection of the highest quality ones, their correct conservation and their reintroduction into the crop cycle. About this even We were featured in a report in APunt, because the process is very conscientious. You can see it here.
In addition to this work, germination tests are carried out under controlled temperature conditions between 20 and 22ºC, thanks to which a germination percentage of 96% of the total selected seeds has been achieved.
This work is very interesting and we also discussed it extensively in our blog some time ago, so if you want to know more about how we work with the selection of traditional variety seeds at Vicente Peris, here we tell you more.
if you want to know more about how we work with the selection of traditional variety seeds in Vicente Peris, here we tell you more.