The biggest production area is in the Murcia region, that counts on about 3,000 ha. The most widely planted varieties are "Crimson seedless" and "superior seedless". Also, to a smaller extent, there are cultivations of "Autumn Royal" and "Flame Seedless". The Valencia community, the Murcia region and Almeria are the right areas for expansion.
In Almería, more than 100 ha are presently cultivated, with a production around 2,500 tons, mainly of traditional varieties like "Ohanes", "Napoleon", "Italy" and "Victory". More than 30 years ago the area under cultivation was 7,000 ha, producing 75,000 tons. Juan José Hueso, responsible for "FruitCultura" from Cajamar Foundation, coordinator in the formation cycle and practical workshops, highlights Almería and its seedless varieties, as the way to recover a traditional sector that has almost disappeared.
Seedless varieties need cultivation techniques that are different from the traditional seeds varieties. If those are not adequately carried out, it's not possible to obtain the desired results. Attempts made on some occasions to cultivate these varieties were frustrating for several reasons. Lack of knowledge was one of them.
Cajamar Foundation organized, for the present campaign, a workshop about the handling and cultivation techniques for the seedless table grape", with the objective of informing producers and potential producers about the handling and specific techniques for the seedless table grape, by opposition to the traditional varieties with seeds. A series of visits to the Experimental Station from the Cajamar Foundation were organized in the most important moments of the table grape cultivation cycle, to explain in detail the techniques to be applied, the foundations and objectives, making practical demonstrations in the essay parcels.
Source: Teleprensa