The greenhouse acreage in the Axarquia region remains more or less stable compared to 2015, with 741 hectares; only nine hectares less than in the previous year. However, the protected horticultural production in the eastern part of the province is losing ground to the subtropical sector, and more specifically to mangoes and avocados, whose prices are becoming more attractive to growers and whose demand in European markets continues to increase. While the acreage devoted to avocados and mangoes continues to increase (the province is estimated to have about 6,400 hectares of avocados and about 4,000 of mangoes, although the Government speaks of only 2,200 hectares), that devoted to greenhouse crops has fallen by more than 100 hectares since 2011.
According to data from the Andalusian Government, greenhouse cultivation in the Axarquia is at its lowest level since 2010 (750). Moreover, when compared to 2001, when the acreage devoted to greenhouses in the eastern region of Malaga reached 846 hectares, the decline amounts to 105 hectares, or 12 percent less.
This is not the case in other Andalusian provinces, such as Almeria and Granada, where the greenhouse acreage continues to grow. For example, in Almeria, the acreage has grown by 3,911 hectares (14 percent) since 2001, and in Granada by 337 hectares (13 percent).
The latest mapping of greenhouses on the coast of Andalusia carried out by the Council of Agriculture with satellite images revealed that a total of 33,596 hectares are devoted to protected horticulture in the area.
By provinces, the counties of the coast of Almeria concentrate the largest greenhouse acreage, with a total of 30,007 hectares. Of these, 21,081 hectares are located in the region of Campo de Dalias, 8,245 in the region of Campo de Nijar and Bajo Andarax and 681 in the region of Bajo Almanzora. In Granada, on the Costa Tropical, the total acreage has been estimated at 2,848 hectares, while in Malaga, in the region of Vélez-Málaga, there are only 741 hectares.
In Almeria, the municipality standing out the most is El Ejido, with 12,530 hectares, while in Granada the largest acreage is found in Motril, with 1,137 hectares. Lastly, the most noteworthy municipality in Malaga is Vélez-Málaga, with 383 hectares.
Malaga
The municipality of Vélez-Málaga accounts for almost half of the greenhouses of the region of the Axarquia. The next ones with the most protected acreage are Torrox (184), Algarrobo (91) and Nerja (39). Benamocarra, with only 19 hectares, is farther away. Rincon de la Victoria, Sayalonga, Iznate, Frigiliana and Arenas, have only four hectares each.
In Axarquía most of the greenhouses are devoted to the cultivation of horticultural products, both conventional and organic.
Source: diariosur.es
