Huelva's entire strawberry production has already been harvested, leaving only 2%, which will go to the processing industry. The total volume is expected to have been around 10-15% smaller than in the previous campaign, when 279,000 tonnes were harvested. This smaller production is the result of a lower acreage, which has dropped from 6,980 hectares last year to about 6,340 hectares this season; a reduction of about 10%.
It has been an atypical year, with good initial prospects that have then not been met, as assessed by Alberto Garrocho, president of the Association of Producers and Exporters of Strawberries from Huelva (Freshuelva), who pointed out that the decline in the acreage is due to the lack of profitability of the crop, although prices have been higher than last year (+10%). Another factor that has led growers to reduce their acreage has been the strong competition from other countries.
Source: agrodigital.com
