The delay in the strawberry planting in Huelva and the impact of dry weather have resulted in lower than usual volumes in December and the first half of January, but the supply is gradually increasing as Valentine's Day approaches.
“The strawberry supply in the market was lower than usual when our campaign started, since Morocco has also seen a drop in its production. Last year, there was a good supply during the same period, so many supermarket chains had similar expectations,” says Luis Vázquez, manager of Grufesa.
“However, the production is growing and we will be able to guarantee the supply for Valentine's Day. In about 20 days, we will start to have more consistent volumes, although the peak of the campaign won't be reached until March,” he says.
For years, Grufesa has been committed to being there for Valentine's Day celebrations, for which it supplies special and unique packaging formats. “We take great care of the presentation with special packaging formats, as well as of the quality of the fruits that we pack, with varieties suitable for the occasion, with a high Brix, a long shelf life and morphologically very appealing,” says the manager of the cooperative.
“We are focusing on varieties with a more linear and stable production”
The cooperative, based in the town of Moguer, in the Spanish province of Huelva, produces around 17 million kilos of fresh strawberries and blueberries. About 50% of its strawberry varieties belong to the FNM local varieties program, with the Rociera and Marisma being prominent ones. The firm is also strongly committed to the RedSayra, from Planasa, and also works to a lesser extent with the Fortuna.
“We are focusing on varieties with a more linear and stable production. The truth is that significant changes are on-going in Huelva and there is ever-increasing diversity,” says Vázquez.
For more information:
Luis Vázquez
Grufesa
Carretera Pila, 0 S N,
21800 Moguer, Huelva. Spain
T: +34 959 372335
www.grufesa.com