Juan Gallego Arroyo. Founder / CEO, Grupo IberoPistacho
IberoPistacho has supported the development of thousands of hectares of pistachio orchards on the Iberian Peninsula. Based on your direct experience with producers, how has the profile of farmers committed to this crop evolved, and what does the sector currently demand?
The producer’s profile has evolved into that of a professional farmer and investor. Among the investors are family offices and investment funds. The sector demands professionalism to remain competitive in both agriculture and agro-industry, so it can “compete” on a global level with pistachios from other origins. This is achieved through technical advisory services, nurseries, and direct support for farmers embarking on this crop for the first time.
Iberopistacho has a unique vantage point on the farms. What is currently the biggest concern for producers who are starting to grow pistachios?
The biggest concern is the technical management of the crop, since it is still relatively unknown, and proper management equals good profitability, which justifies the investment.
The start of production at numerous plantations is marking a new phase for a sector that will see its potential supply increase. Is the entire value chain prepared to handle and absorb this actual increase in production over the coming years?
Yes, it is prepared; there are processing facilities and a market with growing demand.
Iberopistacho has been committed to innovation and knowledge transfer since its inception. What technological or agronomic advances do you believe will have the greatest impact on farm profitability over the next decade?
Mechanizing and automating operations as much as possible, thereby reducing production costs.
In the context of climate change and growing pressure on water resources, what strategies are you recommending to growers to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of their orchards?
After more than a decade of promoting pistachio cultivation in Spain, would you say that this sector is now consolidating, or do you believe it still has significant potential for improvement and growth?
The sector is entering a phase of maturity, but there is still a long way to go, and we all need to play our part. It is estimated that by 2040, the cultivated area will exceed 250,000 hectares.
How can our sector compete in the markets—primarily in the European Union, which is closest to us, but also in Asian markets—against production giants such as the United States, Iran, and Turkey?
By implementing continuous improvement in agriculture and agro-industry, so that we can be competitive in any market and against any pistachio from any origin.
As one of the leading companies in the sector, what are your expectations for the World Pistachio Congress (WPC), and what do you believe are the key issues that should be the focus of current and future national and international analysis and debate regarding the pistachio sector?
Our current expectation is to get started, blaze a trail, and move forward.
We must all participate so that the growing acreage and volume will enable us to become a global benchmark in terms of both quality and quantity.
We have a great opportunity, and we must know how to take advantage of it.
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