Spain: Las Marismas to reopen in 2024

After two years of difficulties due to the persistent drought, Las Marismas de Lebrija SCA will resume its tomato paste production in 2024 under a new management team.

The latest rainfall in Andalusia has served to give a final boost to the planning of the 2024 tomato processing season, in which the Las Marismas de Lebrija SCA cooperative is already immersed and which will allow it to exceed a thousand hectares in tomato production. Adverse weather conditions with a constant lack of rain have led the cooperative to face unprecedented situations, such as the inactivity of the tomato factory for two consecutive years. The factory, which has an annual capacity of 230.000 tonnes, processed approximately 150.000 tonnes in 2020 and 2021 but remained iddle in 2022 and 2023. However, thanks to the commitment of partners and collaborators, it will be up and running again during the 2024 summer. 

Although this year's surface area will be smaller than usual, the cooperative's commitment has always been to be able to continue serving its members and strategic clients and to maintain its position as a reference in the sector. The quality of its products and the satisfaction of our customers remain our top priority.

The resumption of the tomato processing activity will mark the beginning of a new stage of growth and prosperity for Las Marismas de Lebrija SCA, where the benefits and advantages of the measures undertaken and the procedures established over the last two years by the Governing Council and the Management of the cooperative will become evident. The coopertavie will  continue to innovate, adapting to market changes and seeking new business opportunities to remain leaders in our industry.
"We sincerely appreciate the continued support of our members, customers, suppliers and collaborators during these difficult two years. Their confidence in us has motivated us to overcome this great challenge and drives us forward with renewed vigour, determination and enthusiasm", says José Tejero, president of the cooperative La Marismas de Lebrija.

The cooperative also announced a major change in its management team in the coming weeks as, after holding the position since 2022, Alberto Jurado will step down as General Manager of the cooperative to take on new professional challenges. The Governing Board of the cooperative announced that Eugénio Ferreira will soon take over as General Manager. With extensive experience in the agricultural sector and a proven track record of achievements at the helm of leading companies in the tomato industry, Eugénio Ferreira will bring a fresh vision, strong leadership and a modernisation-oriented approach to our organisation. In recent years, Ferreira, an Agronomist by training with specialised studies in management areas, has worked as Manager in Mancera, part of the Tepro group, Operations Director in Tomates del Sur (Sugal Group) and Director in Hortofrutícolas Campelos.

Commenting on the new addition, José Tejero said "we are confident that under Eugénio's leadership, our cooperative will continue to reach new levels of success and excellence in the agri-food industry. His inspirational leadership and his focus on our strategic partners and customers will be fundamental in building for the immediate future, with a promising tomato campaign ahead".

Source: Las Marismas