Huelva strawberries

The value and volume of strawberry exports from the Spanish region of Andalusia increased last year, according to the latest ministry figures.

Carmen Lloret, delegate for agriculture, fisheries and environment, said that strawberry export value had risen 25 per cent year-on-year to €458m, making up 7 per cent of the Andalusia's total export value in 2012, Finanzas.com reported.

Lloret added that strawberries were now the third most valuable Andalusian export, up from fifth place in 2011, behind only olive oil and tomatoes.

A total of 286,000 tonnes of fresh strawberries were exported last year, up 29 per cent.