From Harvest to Sale: A Guide for the Pistachio Grower
From Harvest to Pistachio Sales: A Farmer's Guide
El pistacho has established itself as one of the most profitable crops in Spain in recent years. Thanks to its high quality, its growing demand and interest in healthy and sustainable products, the pistacho offers the agricultores great business opportunities. However, to achieve the benefit expected, a good one is not enough production: It is essential to plan from the beginning harvest to sale, optimizing each phase of the process.
In this guide you will find a detailed tour from the moment of collecting the fruit until merchandising, with practical strategies to improve the quality, expand the market and get the best price possible for you product.
Freshly picked pistachios.
The key to success: preparation and post-harvest processing
An campaign Success doesn't end in the field. quality end of the pistacho and its value of market depend largely on how the indicted after the harvest and a producer who takes care of this point can obtain better Prices and loyalty Suppliers and buyers.
Pistachio harvesting and sorting
La harvest of the pistacho It should be carried out at the optimum moment of ripening, when the pericarp (soft shell) is easily separated from the fruit and the moisture content is adequate.
The culture Of pistachios, a delay in harvesting can cause loss quality, appearance of fungi or reduction of performance.
After harvesting, it is essential to carry out a triage or initial classification to separate the products damaged, cracked or stained, and leave only those that meet the standards of the market. This increases the value of the lot and facilitates the rest of the indicted.
Drying: quality and weight
Drying is a critical phase. Rapid and uniform drying prevents fungal growth and maintains the quality organoleptic of the pistacho.
The final moisture content should be between 5-7% to ensure good preservation and facilitate the merchandising.
Poorly performed drying can reduce the price a intermediary or a company is willing to pay, and even render the product for certain markets.
Husking, grading and screening
Once dry, the pistacho go through the peeling (if the destination requires it), calibrated by caliber and screening to separate impurities and plant debris.
El caliber is a decisive factor in the Prices: The pistachios Larger and more homogeneous ones usually reach better value at the market, Especially in direct sale or export.
Pistachio Sales Channels: Who Should I Sell My Harvest To?
Choosing the right channel sale depends on the volume of production, terms of the product and the strategy of merchandising of the farmer.
Sale to buyers and intermediaries
This channel allows a purchase quickly and without the need for the producer have its own facilities for the indicted.
The intermediaries They usually collect the product in the Explotacion or at collection points and assume the Services And later merchandising.
The advantage is the immediacy of the sale; the disadvantage, that the price is usually lower than that of other channels.
Sale to agricultural cooperatives
Cooperatives offer to the agricultores a model of the service set: they are in charge of the indicted, merchandising and negociación on behalf of all its partners.
They usually get better Prices that intermediaries, although payments may take longer. They can also advise on culture, campaign and management of the plantation.
Direct sales to the final consumer
This model can generate a benefit much larger, but requires more effort by the producer.
It involves managing the sale through our own stores, local markets, fairs or online sales.
El organic pistachio in this channel you can reach a value premium if you communicate well the origin, quality y terms of production.
Pistachio ice cream. A way of processing pistachios.
Strategies for setting prices and negotiating
Sell pistachios with the best price possible requires knowing the data de market, preferences of buyers and the amount de product available.
How is the price of pistachios set?
El price of the pistacho en Spain It is influenced by factors such as:
- Caliber and homogeneity of the fruit.
- Types of product (organic pistachio or conventional).
- Terms and conditions de indicted.
- Supply and demand in the market internationally.
- Costs of Services and logistics.
Keys to a successful negotiation
Know the sector and its average prices
Present a product with guaranteed quality and well classified
Provide clear production and performance data
Evaluate supplier or buyer preferences
Do you want to sell pistachios?
Frequently asked questions about pistachio sales
What is the "price at origin" and how does it affect me?
El price at origin It is the value that the farmer its product before applying costs of Services, indicted o merchandising. It is key to calculate the benefit real of the Explotacion.
What requirements are needed to sell to a cooperative?
They usually require that the plantation meet certain standards of quality, be up to date with phytosanitary regulations and, in some cases, that the indicted initial (such as drying) is done correctly.
Is it worth investing in my own processing plant?
For adults farms, can be a profitable long-term investment, as it eliminates dependence on services external and allows better fixation of the price end of the product.
What is the difference between selling organic and conventional pistachios?
El organic pistachio usually have a price superior by its minor amount at the market and the added value perceived by the consumer. However, it requires greater terms specific cultivation and certifications.
Javier Fernández
COO of Agróptimum
