Producers in Huelva say an early start to the 2017/18 Spanish strawberry campaign brought on by a hot dry autumn could mean a higher volume of fruit hitting the market in the run-up to Christmas when prices peak.
“It is still too early to predict what impact the absence of rain will have on the beginning of the season but we hope to arrive in the market by Christmas,” Rafael Domínguez of producer association Freshuelva.
Planted area is believed to be similar to last season at 5,460ha following a fall of 7 per cent during the previous campaign.
Moguer-based Grufesa kicked off its 2017/18 strawberry campaign last week with the harvesting of the first volumes of the early season San Andreas and Fortuna varieties.
Manager Carlos Cumbreras said the fruit will be destined mainly for the domestic market, with exports to key European markets getting underway in the coming weeks as volumes increase.
About 65 per cent of the 370ha of strawberry production managed by Grufesa are planted with Primoris and Rociera varieties, while the remainder is split between San Andreas, Fortuna and Rábida.
This season will also see the company produce its first ever raspberry harvest. The fruit, cultivated on a 6-hectare test plot, will go on sale in December under the company’s Ms Ruby brand.
Cumbreras said the company’s blueberry acreage is also increasing as it seeks a more balanced portfolio. It now has 40ha of production, planted predominantly with Star and Ventura.
