Agrexco has exported record volumes of 2,343 tonnes of strawberries this season, compared with 1,541t last year, a 52 per cent increase, according to the company's strawberry product manager Asaf Adar. The total volume also includes strawberries supplied from Palestinian farmers in the Gaza region. Exports from the Palestinian Authority, marketed in Europe by Agrexco under the Coral brandname, amounted this year to 1,503 tonnes, compared with 847 tonnes a year ago, an increase of 71 per cent. The supplies from Gaza encompasses nearly 400 growers who are associated with four cooperatives. Strawberries grown in Israel and marketed by Agrexco under the Carmel brand amounted this year to 840t compared to 665t last year, a 26 per cent increase in volume. Total sales revenues amounted this year to €12.5 million

However, sales returns have been 20 per cent lower this season due to tough competition at the beginning of the campaign from suppliers in Latin America and from glasshouse crops in Belgium and the UK. Nevertheless, the strength of the euro has offset this slightly for growers in both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Strawberry production in the Gaza region is taking off with some 200 hectares now dedicated to the crop compared to 120ha last year. Meanwhile, 50 of Agrexco's Israeli strawberry growers using integrated crop management techniques are all now Eurepgap and Ecofresh accredited.

Carmel strawberries are marketed in the UK multiples through Redbridge AFI, Berryworld and AMS.

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