Huelva: Fewer strawberries, raspberry cultivation on the rise

Soft fruit growers in the Andalusian region of Huelva are facing some tough challenges. Like the impending closure of a water source in the National Park, and growers who seek refuge in neighbouring growing areas such as Portugal and Morocco. Following two difficult strawberry seasons, many growers have switched to growing raspberries, after an increase in blueberry acreage was already noted.

In total, the strawberry acreage decreased by 9.2% from 6,980 hectares to 6,340 hectares, coming close to 2011 and 2012 levels. This year, the planting of raspberries, blueberries and blackberries increased on average by 25%. A total of 1,560 hectares of raspberries (1,300 hectares in the previous year) and 70-90 hectares of blackberries were planted this season (+ 28.6%), with blueberry acreage increasing from 1,150 to 1,470 hectares. The effects were immediately visible this year, as the raspberry season started in November with very low prices. A further increase in acreage is therefore not expected next year.

EU market
The European market is by far the most important destination for soft fruit from Huelva. Strawberries and raspberries mainly go to Germany, France and the United Kingdom. In the 2013/14 season, as much as 281,290 tons of strawberries (out of a total volume of 291,394 tons) went to the EU. In total, the value of the strawberry export was 474.5 million Euro. Out of 18,359 tons of raspberries, 17,527 tons was exported to EU countries. Blueberry exports have reached a value of 474.5 million Euro.

Blackberries are emerging and a total of 1,273 tons was exported in the 2013/14 season, mainly to Germany, the UK and Italy. The export value of the blackberry was 7.9 million. As far as blackberry production is concerned, Mexico offers the most competition with year round supply, though Mexico mostly serves the US market.

Competition
Particular competition comes from southern countries such as Egypt and Morocco. A frequently heard Spanish complaint is that the exploitation of the workers in these countries poses unfair competition, but it must be said that North African production has undergone a considerable increase. As recent as five years ago, Moroccan strawberry cultivation was hardly taken seriously, while nowadays many quality growers actually move to Morocco. Nearby Portugal is also a popular alternative for soft fruit growers, as the maritime climate is deemed even more favourable than the Spanish one.

In short, large cooperatives are having difficulties holding on to sizeable growers. Several strawberries giants want to keep their marketing in their own hands. Overlapping of seasons increases, as Egypt and Morocco are attempting to prolong their stay in the spring, while Western Europe is trying to push back its entrance on the market. As a result, Spain is in a fix. It will have to look for an extension of its season, or find new ways to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace.