Strawberry acreage in Huelva has declined this season as raspberry production in the Spanish region soars.
According to latest figures from growers association Freshuelva, in south-western Spain, acreage under strawberry production this season has declined by 12.7 per cent to 7,200 hectares. Meanwhile, the area dedicated to raspberry crops has risen by 41 per cent.
Freshuelva president José Manuel Romero told the press last week that prospects for the season just starting are encouraging as production of strawberries is moving over to lower yielding, higher quality varieties which should have a favourable impact on export markets such as the UK.
“The greater percentage of varieties developed for high-quality fruit, with the decline in tonnage to be marketed that is forecast, gives producers and exporters cause for hope that this season sales and marketing will be more favourable than in recent past campaigns,” said Romero.
He also said that the raspberry increase is hard to quantify as plantings are still ongoing, but an increase of some 350ha on last season to 1,200ha is estimated.
Romero forecasts that strawberry production will total 252,000 tonnes while raspberries should reach 10,000t. The soft-fruit plants have benefited greatly from autumn rainfall, which has helped lift drought conditions in Europe’s principal fresh-market soft-fruit growing area.
Blueberry and blackberry production is also forecast to rise exponentially, albeit from a much lower base, as young plantings start to come on stream.
Romero also welcomed EU anti-dumping measures against third-country imports of soft fruit for processing, but warned that labour shortage may be a tricky issue for producers this season as workers from Romania are experiencing contracting problems.
He said that Poland and Morocco offered the most viable alternatives for the sector as sources of labour if the Spanish soft-fruit sector is to avoid a shortage at peak season.
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