Spain: Freshuelva ends campaign with a 302,000 tons production

The Strawberry Producers and Exporters Association of Huelva - Freshuelva - ended 2011/2012 campaign with a total production of 302,600 tons, representing a 19% raise, by comparison with the previous campaign. On the other hand, the sector's turnover with this red fruit was 404.1 million Euro, some 18% more than in the last campaign. Despite this rise in the total value of strawberry, the average price for the season dropped 3.5%, regarding the previous one.

From the total of collected strawberries, around 75% were sold for fresh consumption (226,700 tons) and the rest, around 25% was destined to the industry (75,900 tons). There was a 38% increase on the fruit destined to the industry. The fresh production for commerce grew 19% regarding the 2011 campaign.

The campaign was advanced some weeks due to the good temperatures and light by the end of December and begin of January. Until March, the strawberry for commerce grew, despite the price being lower than in previous campaigns. In the second part of April, when consumption suffered a halt, prices dropped and part of the strawberries are destined to the industry as the sector couldn't cover costs. But in the first weeks of May there was a small price recovery regarding fruit for fresh consumption. The harvest started slowing down due to a strong heat wave during this month. The first production of June is destined to the national market and industry.

Raspberry production was of 11,010 tons, an amount similar to the one in the last campaign. Around 160 tons are destined to industrial use. The price for this berry went up by 2%, resulting in a turnover similar to the one in the last campaign - a total of 70.75 million Euro.

The campaign is still going for blueberry and blackberry. Regarding blueberry, production grew 36% until now and the price went 6% up. Regarding blackberry, production dropped 30%, making its value grow 28%.

The sector highlights that the present campaign was widened due to the inclusion of early varieties, that covered up the later ones and caused production to take longer. The main characteristic for the whole campaign is the fruit quality, mainly in the first part of the season and until April.

PRODUCT PRODUCTION VALUE

Strawberry 302,600 tons 404.1 million

Raspberry 11,010 tons 70.75 million

Source: Huelvaya