The clam is really good and Apolinário wants to value it

Bringing the nurseries closer to the distribution chains and, with that, value the clams, a unique product of Ria Formosa. This is the objective of José Apolinário, Secretary of State for Fisheries, who, this Friday, gathered, in Olhão, representatives of the main national supermarket chains and sweet clam producers, for a tasting lunch and a commercial approach.

The government official explained to journalists that this initiative, carried out in conjunction with Formosa – Cooperative of Nurseries of Ria Formosa, comes at a time when “we need to value what is ours, whether national products from aquaculture, fishing, or of agriculture'.

For José Apolinário, “there is a need to facilitate contacts between producers and major distribution structures, so that they can sell a very important product in the Ria Formosa. In 2018, there were 3200 tons of clams produced in the Ria Formosa».

Although this product is Portuguese and of high quality, it is not always easy to find it in supermarkets and there are often Japanese or Vietnamese clams in its place, at much lower prices.

For the secretary of state, this “is a challenge that must be placed on distribution. If the distribution provides more information to the consumer and says that the clam is a national product and its origin, it is a way to help producers. That's what we're working on. We have less tourism, less consumption and, for this reason, we have to reinforce the actions of distribution of national products».

Even because, despite the Japanese clam, for example, having «a more favorable price, in terms of quality and flavor, the clam is superior».

In addition to the fact that this initiative to promote the good clam has an economic aspect, there is also a social aspect involved, since «in the Ria Formosa, at least 2000 people work in this production. Between Olhão, Tavira and Faro, this is a very important reality».

Despite all this incentive, the production of clams in the Ria Formosa could be more profitable if there were less mortality, since “there is a recurring problem here that has to do with dredging. A new dredging plan is needed for the water to circulate. Silting is harmful to quality and increases mortality», admits José Apolinário.

Therefore, the Secretary of State admits the need "to apply for dredging in the next community framework." The ideal, for the governor, would be to maintain "a permanent dredging plan, with a smaller dredger, because this is necessary for the maintenance of water quality".

During lunch, some producers complained that there were not enough good clams and that the ones that do exist have had an outlet. However, José Apolinário, despite admitting that “there may not be as many as in other years”, guarantees that “there is enough clams to sell”. Even because, he emphasizes, «the idea here is also to better remunerate the producers», that is, to increase the sale price to the distribution chains.

All this work is also being done, emphasizes José Apolinário, because «if we do not manage to maintain the activity, the tendency is to transform the boar clam nurseries into oyster nurseries. It takes more work to keep clams than oysters. Without prejudice to the fact that the oyster is very important for the economic and social balance of the estuary, we cannot lose space for the clam, which is the native species of the Ria Formosa».

From the producers' side, this initiative by the Secretary of State is well regarded. For José Florêncio, president of Formosa, “when we promote a good product, before the large food chains represented here, it is always good”.

From the contacts made during lunch, José Florêncio believes that “something will come out and it will be better than it is. For example, I already have a card here and the guarantee that they will call me from the Sonae group. The Secretary of State has also said that he will help to streamline these contacts between companies and producers».

Still, the president of Formosa leaves a warning: “we have a big problem with the clams. We depend on the tides, we can go without clams for five or six days. Then there are discharges from what I call sewage. There are things that we cannot control and that can lead us to not being able to supply the product. In contracts with these companies, we always have to protect ourselves, because we depend on Nature».

On the side of the distribution chains, interest in the commercialization of clams was widespread, but Sílvia Cruz, Makro's representative, warned: «we could evolve in the legislation, in the way this product is treated, from the point where it is created to the point of sale. The product is packaged in mesh sacks, moves in a “tumble” and then, on sale, is placed in conditions that can be improved, so that we can have the product alive for longer».

If that happens, “you can add more value to the product. There are countries where bivalves can be sold underwater and transport underwater can be one of the solutions. There are ways to do it differently and we are unable to implement them because there is a legislative barrier. The fact that a bivalve is for sale on a board with air circulation, which kills the animal, where there is contact with fresh water, with ice, which can kill the animal, with the normal handling that breaks the shells… All this goes “ denigrating” the product and then, in the end, it ends up not being more valued», he concludes.

Photos: Nuno Costa|Sul Informação