TANTALISE YOUR TASTE BUDS WITH A TIMELY TRIP TO MALLORCA

• Spanish supermarket sales expected to rise in 2015 (Kantar Worldpanel)
• Spring fairs and Easter feasts held across Mallorca, including local produce markets and annual Pollensa Wine Fair in April
• Test out your Balearic culinary skills in your own kitchen with a luxury second home from Taylor Wimpey España

The economic crisis affected countless areas of life in Spain and one of the hardest hit sectors was the food and services sector. Quite simply, a struggling economy meant families were eating out less and cutting down their weekly shopping bills. Restaurants failed as their clientele dwindled and Spain’s supermarkets saw sales drop by 2.9% in 2014.

However, a new report from Kantar Worldpanel has shone a beacon of hope onto the Spanish supermarket sector, predicting a modest recovery in sales volumes over the course of 2015 as shoppers relax their budgets slightly and begin adding treats to the trolley once more.

The quest for value has seen many shoppers turn away from the big stores to local food outlets and markets instead, where they can shop more often and spend a little at a time. It’s a habit that promotes economy and reduces waste. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, has observed the trend on his home island of Mallorca. He comments,

“There’s definitely a focus on buying local produce right now. For some shoppers, it makes sound economic sense. For others, it’s a matter of environmental concern, with buying local produce offering a way to reduce their carbon footprint. At this time of year, the spring fairs will soon be underway here on Mallorca, and many locals and visitors to the island will be keen to sample the tasty treats that the myriad local markets provide.”

Spring is also the time for Mallorca’s Pollensa Wine Fair, which allows visitors to try a range of wines from Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands in the atmospheric setting of the Claustredel Convent de Santo Domingo. Held in April each year, the event calls out to those who know their wines, from local connoisseurs to second home owners looking to stock up on refreshing local vintages.

Easter’s arrival is also an important time for the Spanish food industry. Rich, wine and honey-soaked torrijas, chocolate Monas de Pascua, sesame and honey pastries, Easter doughnuts and sweet, crunchy flores do Semana Santa provide a delicious gastronomic tour of this important event in the Spanish religious calendar.

One of the delights of owning a holiday home is the ability to experiment with cooking local produce, which those staying in hotels can only enjoy by eating out. Taylor Wimpey España’s homes have been designed with buyers’ stomachs firmly in mind, with high end kitchens encouraging families to enjoy the host of delicious produce on offer and outdoor terraces that are perfect for long, relaxing meals as day slowly melts into night.

At CalaAnguila II at Porto Cristo, where prices start at €245,000, the two bedroom apartments are part of one of the last remaining developments with direct beach access in Mallorca. This peaceful development is close to the bustling shops and supermarkets of Porto Cristo, ensuring that owners can enjoy shopping locally and stocking up their well-appointed kitchens. The coastal location means that locally caught seafood is in plentiful supply, though those who don’t fancy tackling a lobster in their own kitchen may prefer to opt for one of the area’s many excellent restaurants!