Heat... and ice guaranteed for the Malaga Fair

Amid a heatwave that, for now, has not been too punishing in Málaga, the days are quickly counting down to the start of the Málaga Fair. Traditionally hot and sweltering, this summer follows two prolonged heat episodes (at the beginning of July and currently) and other days of sustained terral winds that pushed temperatures above 40 degrees in the middle of last month.

In this warm context, the Fair arrives next Friday, starting with the night of fireworks, initiating a week of festivities in the city center and at the Real del Cortijo de Torres. In both locations, the atmosphere will grow and, as usual, the consumption of a drink or two or soft drinks will increase to cope with the heat.

Are ice manufacturers and distributors prepared for eight days of intense consumption in bars, restaurants, and booths in Málaga? We surveyed some of the approximately twelve suppliers in the capital to find out if there is a risk of repeating a situation like three summers ago, when the rise in electricity, plastic, and fuel costs in the previous months jeopardized the Fair week and prevented the daily distribution of tens of tons of ice in the city.

"We're not overflowing, but I don't think we'll run out," assures David Sánchez from the distributor Cubidsa to Málaga Hoy, who will be covering booths, bars, and restaurants with about 35 tons during the upcoming days of August, admitting it's been a "weird" summer, where ice is selling "but not at the pace of other years." In any case, "our chambers are full," he concludes.

Hielos Pingüino, a distributor of Madrid-based Hielos Valmar located in the El Viso industrial area, prepares a daily delivery during the fair of 25 pallets, which translates to about ten tons - Hielos Pingüino distributes five-kilo bags - a "moderate" estimate for the Fair, according to one of its workers, Fernando, who adds that they have a storage capacity of 300 pallets and receive a daily truck from their parent company's factory in Aranjuez.

"We would have to be without power for ten days"

José Carlos Rico, representative of Hielos Glaciar based in Torrox, also sees the situation as under control, acknowledging that at the beginning of summer, with unusually high spring temperatures, there was a "squeeze," but as of today, "the engines have started to breathe again and I don't think there will be supply issues" in the coming days. From Hielos Glaciar, they note a possible change in consumption trends. "We are associated with slightly more expensive products like cocktails," and the increase in their price in the hospitality industry leads to a decrease in their consumption in favor of other drinks like beer. "Closing the month of July, we are practically at last year's sales, but because we supply to a larger number of businesses," confesses José Carlos before also noting the economic stability of the product he works with: "I started in the company with my father in December 2006, and since then, the price has changed by ten cents."

Another supplier that provides ice to bars and booths in Málaga during the Fair is Eurocosta, based in Torremolinos, which is confident in having a few days of normal activity. "We would have to be without power for ten days" to not be able to provide the planned service for the festival days. The company prepares a delivery for the first day of supply of 12 pallets - each pallet can hold 80 bags of ten kilos - with which they will provide 9.6 tons to their clients. "From there, depending on consumption, you replenish," acknowledges Antonia Guardeño, manager of Eurocosta, who also denounces the difficulties their vehicles face in delivering ice in the city center.

Juan José, representative of a more discreet ice distributor in the capital, such as Hielos Raquel, ensures that they work "day by day" with the ten booths they supply the icy element to at the August fair, which one day might be 600 kilos and another day might reach a ton, noting that his experience tells him that "consumption spikes in the last three days of the Fair". "For now, there is ice. We have two chambers full," he concludes.