146,121 tonnes of table grapes are estimated to be harvested this year; 16% more than in 2012, according to data provided by the Agricultural Statistics Service in partnership with the Local Agricultural Offices, as reported by the Council of Agriculture.
The general director of Agrifood Industry and Agricultural Training, Ángel García Lidón, highlighted that "optimal weather conditions for the crop, both during the flowering and the settling stage, have resulted in greater production volumes and grapes of a good size."
The greatest increase in production volumes has been registered in the Apirena and Red Gobe varieties (26% and 13% respectively).
The increase of the Apirena varieties is due to expansions in the acreage and the entry into production of new plantations.
For the Napoleon and Dominga varieties, production volumes will remain the same this year, while the Italia variety falls by 18%, due to a reduction in the acreage.
In 2012, the region was the largest table grape producer, with 125,910 tonnes, which accounts for 53% of the national production, followed by the province of Alicante, with 34% and Andalusia, with 7%.
The total acreage of the region is of 5,493 hectares, which concentrate mainly in the Valley of Guagalentín (64%) and Vega del Segura (32%). There are also plantations in the Altiplano (4%) and to a lesser extent, in Campo de Cartagena.
Murcia is the second Region with the largest table grape acreage (36%), followed by the Region of Valencia (44%).
The Region of Murcia's table grape exports reached an approximate value of 127 million Euro in 2012 and represented around 62% of Spain's total.
Last year, Murcia exported a total of 69,572 tonnes, which represents 55% of its total production.
Murcia's main clients (95%) were the countries of the European Union. The United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands received 84% of those exports. The rest went to countries in Africa, Asia and America.
Source: Carm