Strawberries are on the list of the most popular fruits during summer in Europe. In fact, most countries in the Old Continent have their own productions that together reach 1.3 million tons. The production in greenhouses and the cultivation of a wide range of varieties have made it possible to extend the seasons, making Europe almost self-sufficient (with Spain as the largest producer). However, there are still opportunities for export from other parts of the planet, especially in the gap between the Mediterranean production and that of northern Europe. The key in these cases is to focus on varieties that are of superior flavor with very efficient logistics.
According to a recent report from the Center for the Promotion of Imports of Developing Countries - CBI, in 2017, the European continent imported and marketed around 503 thousand tons of strawberries. Of that volume, almost 90% corresponded to re-exports and domestic trade of local productions. In the same year, developing countries exported almost 35,700 tons of fruit there, always seeking to fill some gap in the supply or compensate for a temporary shortage. It must be born in mind that the quality of European strawberries is really high.
Also, the report points out that strawberry consumption in Europe is estimated at around 1.2 million tons. Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom have the highest levels of per capita consumption, with 3 kilos per year. The average per capita consumption in 2016 for the entire continent was 1.64 kilos.
It is a fruit that is consumed across Europe, where the largest importers in general are Germany and France, while the largest importers from developing countries are Spain, Belgium, Germany and France, with shipments ranging between 4,000 and 14,000 tons.
What are the main non-European suppliers of strawberries for the Old Continent?
-Egypt, which manages to ship to the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.
-Morocco, which finds its best opportunities in Spain and France.
-Turkey, which has a good market for its strawberries in Romania.
-Jordan, which exports small volumes to the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
-Albania (not part of the European Union), whose flow of shipments to Italy is gradually increasing.
-Peru, which exports some 200 tons, mainly towards Spain.
"Belgium and the Netherlands are big strawberry marketers, especially when it comes to less common origins, such as Jordan and Ethiopia. These commercial hubs should be taken into account when thinking about introducing a supplier of a new origin," says the CBI.
The entity estimates that producers in other regions should keep in mind that in Europe, growers are increasingly adapting their technology for the cultivation of strawberries, and that a large number work with protected fruit and vegetable systems, using substrates, plastic tunnels or glass greenhouses. This goes hand in hand with the development of plantations with early-growing or late-season varieties.
"As a result, strawberry fields in Europe gain not only more control and efficiency in the production, but extend their production seasons. Consumer demand is met by a nearly year-round supply of quality strawberries; therefore, while consumption is increasing, the window of opportunity for external suppliers is becoming narrower," they explain.
When taking this into account, it becomes clear that those interested in exporting to Europe have to take care of the fruit's quality and taste, as well as understand how consumers experience the product. This includes the trend to consume fruits grown with sustainable methods, as environmental and social issues are becoming more relevant. Strawberry buyers have initiatives that seek to reduce the use of pesticides, for example.
Of course, organic production is also appreciated. The demand for it is strong in northern Europe. The CBI acknowledges that strawberries are difficult to produce with organic systems, so the number of such growers is limited. Poland stands out in this regard, as it produced more than 6,000 tons of organic strawberries in 2016, but with a very short season. Spain and Germany produced 5,000 tons and 3,000 tons of organic fruit in the same year.
"Organic strawberries can be an interesting niche, especially for small businesses that can devote more attention to labor-intensive growth. However, the limited shelf life of organic strawberries entails that the logistics processes have to be extremely efficient," they conclude.
Source: agraria.pe
