Euroberry annually produces over 14 million kilos of fruit, most of which blueberries. The company is the commercial platform for Atlantic Blue (Spain) and Hortifrut Chile. Euroberry was founded in 2003 by the Chilean soft fruit producer Hortifrut S.A. together with Spain's largest blueberry grower producing berries in Chile, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Brazil and the United States. This ventures makes possible to supply the European market with berries all year-round.
"We have a team of engineers working to develop new varieties. Our breeding programme includes over 20 own and exclusive varieties that only our company group can grow. The most complete variety in the blueberry market is Rocio thanks to a unique flavour, extra long shelf life and its jumbo size. Rocio gives you full flavoured blueberries with sizes over 20mm and this is what makes it the best variety you can find."
In raspberries Euroberry impressed the berries industry by presenting "Pacific Deluxe" a top variety grown in Mexico, Spain, Morocco and Portugal. "Pacific Deluxe is big, tasty and long lasting, all you would expect from a top variety".
"The UK is, by far, our largest market, followed by Germany, The Netherlands and Italy, says Alberto during a visit to a 200 hectare plantation in Huelva, where cultivation is completely residue-free. There is yet another 150 hectare plantation, although he does not fear oversupply. "There is a good balance between production and consumption growth. Before the season starts 90% of the production is already programmed with our customers."
At the moment, preparations for the new Spanish season are in full swing. Hundreds of pickers receive accommodation in houses that resemble a holiday complex. In the past two years, the weather conditions have been good for Spanish blueberry growers, and so far this year there has also been no extreme weather. In any case, the company remains cautious, as three years ago a large percentage of Spanish producers suffered major wind and frost damages. All prevention measures, including the use of wind machines, are being taken to prevent this from happening.
Whether the desired production growth will be achieved in Spain is the big question. Water shortages in particular entail a major challenge as Euroberry only waters its plantations using legally approved systems and resources. Furthermore, a large part of the province of Huelva is protected as a national park. This is why Euroberry is currently expanding in Morocco, where there is more land and water available.
For more information:
Alberto Jiménez Capitán
Euroberry
Tel: + 34 954 932 317
Email: acapitan@euroberry.com