Spain: Huelva's berries gaining stronger market position

The world's most important agricultural fair, which brings together many of the leading industry players in the horticultural sector, has given Huelva's companies the opportunity to promote their new formats and/or products, as is the case Grufesa, which has showcased its new packaging formats, including a special packaging for Valentine's Day; or Plus Berries, which has promoted its 'Berryworld' format for blackberries, blueberries and raspberries; a plastic jewel box-shaped container with a capacity for 125 grams, whose presentation at the latest Fruit Attraction attracted plenty of attention. These actions demonstrate the commitment of the industry for innovation and market differentiation with the goal of meeting consumer demands and tastes.

The companies took advantage of their presence in Berlin to boost their lines of business, especially in the main markets where Huelva's strawberries and other red fruits are shipped, such as Germany, France and the UK. Likewise, they have maintained contacts with companies from Northern Europe, Asia and the Middle East interested in Huelva's berries.

In this sense, the manager of Freshuelva, Rafael Domínguez, has highlighted the intense agenda of meetings that Huelva's companies had with different importers and marketers, which shows the interest for Huelva's berries from new markets.

Domínguez has also held contacts with Italian producers to complete the arrangements for the next meeting of the Hispano-Franco-Italian group for Strawberries, which is planned to be held in Italy next March.

At this year's edition, Freshuelva's stand has hosted an important commercial initiative in the framework of the campaign ‘Fresas de Europa: Vive la Roja’ ('Strawberries from Europe: Live the Red'), which was recently launched by the strawberry interprofessional Interfresa and which will be in force for three years in Spain, France and Germany.

As part of this initiative, Huelva's producers and marketers held a meeting with the prestigious German chef Léa Linster, promoter of Interfresa's campaign in her country. This gave them a chance to show her the quality, taste and traceability of Spanish strawberries.

The event was also attended by the Councillor of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of the Government of Andalusia, Carmen Ortiz, who wished to give her support to Huelva's berry sector. In this sense, the Andalusian Councillor also showed the potential and qualities of Huelva's products to the Spanish ambassador in Germany, Pablo García-Berdoy.

The sector has also had, once again, the support of the Provincial Government of Huelva. Its deputy for Agriculture, Ezequiel Ruiz, has backed the boost in the consumption of strawberries in Germany.

Fruit Logistica has an area of over 97,000 square metres and a total net exhibition space of nearly 55,000 square metres. It has been attended by more than 65,000 visitors and welcomed 2,700 exhibitors from over 80 countries.