Farmed mussel from Galicia. (Photo: Juan Murias/Copyright: FIS)

Mussel dominates seafood organic production in Galicia

SPAIN
Tuesday, October 17, 2017, 22:00 (GMT + 9)

Aquaculture and algae collection in Galicia, with a total of EUR 1.3 million in 2016, recorded an increase by 68.7 per cent compared to 2015, especially in the case of ecological mussels, and it is expected to continue to increase.

This information was provided in ForoAcui by Manuel Cancio, technical director of the Regulatory Council of Ecological Agriculture of Galicia (CRAEGA), which is the body responsible for the control and certification of organic production in Galicia.

The latest figures from Craega indicate that, in October 2017, organic aquaculture production is certified for 36 aquaculture producers in Galicia, of which 34 are mussel producers (198 rafts) and 2 farming parks. As far as seaweed farming and harvesting operators are concerned, the number rises to 6. For its part, 32 industries of the sector are certified, of which 25 are canneries, cleansers and cookers and 7 are traders.

To talk about the experience of organic mussel production in Galicia, ForoAcui was attended by Juan Carlos Juncal, president of the Association of Mussel Producers San Amaro, a pioneer in this area that led the way, at the beginning that was not easy, for many other producers.

The reason for taking the step, the difficulties they encountered along the way and the advantages they are currently obtaining were exposed by Juncal during his presentation.

In this sense, and among the difficulties, according to the president of the A.P.M San Amaro, they found the absence of a development regulation in which to settle this type of production -- and that they had to develop together with Craega --; the lack of knowledge of the organic mussel market; or the boycott of some traditional customers of their conventional mussel.

They were not easy years, according to Juncal, but the current advantages are many and diverse.

"Today, as a producer organization, we have the knowledge of the real demands of the consumers as well as commercial stability with stable sales and prices throughout the year that are previously agreed on with our customers, unlike the conventional production that is characterized by its seasonality and variability in prices. In addition, we have been able to increase the productivity of the farms. And, not least, we have obtained a professional satisfaction and recognition that makes us proud as producers."

A.P.M San Amaro began with a production of 30,318 kilos in 2010. In 2016 this figure amounted to 338,190 kilos, and one its forecasts is to add more rafts to the certification.

The next link in the chain, that of cleansing and marketing, was represented in ForoAcui by Mónica Izquierdo, commercial director of Mariscos Linamar, with a proven track record in R+D+i and in meeting consumer needs.

Linamar began its activities in 1998 with the live mussel cleansing and commercialization in traditional packaging, directed mainly to central markets. In 2017 Linamar also sells fourth-range products such as live mussels in modified atmosphere, and in collaboration with Angulas Aguinaga, and since 2015, have entered the V range with elaborated mussels, expanding its customers to the large distribution and the catering channel.

In addition to highlighting the current growing consumption of this type of products, Izquierdo said in ForoAcui that almost 84 per cent of Spaniards say that they would consume these foods in the future. Of those who already consume them, "they do so more than twice a week, and 28 per cent of their shopping basket is already made up of organic products."

Some data explaining the growing trend of organic mussels, Mónica Izquierdo shoed them in the form of figures of sales volume of the company. As of August this year, 70,200 kilograms had already been sold for the organic mussel raft. In the case of the processed mussel it was 26,600 kilos and for live mussels of ecological production (which began to be marketed this year), up to August 123,900 kilos had already been sold.

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