Freshuelva is urging European retailers not to put strawberries on price promotion due to the lower volumes caused by the cold temperatures affecting southern Spain in recent weeks.
Speaking ahead of an industry meeting last week, Rafael Domínguez, manager of the Huelva producer and exporter association said harvested volume is down 60 per cent on this time last year, leaving little room to cut prices.
“The 2016 campaign started a month earlier than usual and by this stage of the season we were harvesting every day. But this season is nothing like the last –the winter has been harsher and we’ve seen more freezes,” he said.
Domínguez noted that there was currently a good balance between demand and supply and retailers should not risk upsetting the equilibrium of the market.
“Some supermarkets are reducing prices to the levels seen last year even though the supply situation is completely different,” he said.
José Luis García-Palacios, president of Interfresa, told reporters that with competition from other European countries intensifying, it was vital to establish effective communication channels with the supermarkets throughout the season to ensure that the best possible price and volumes are secured.
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