Spanish strawberry growers in the south-west province of Huevla have recorded a strong start to the 2012 season, with exports to other European countries up by 19 per cent during the first three months of the year compared with the same period of 2011.
According to regional association Freshuelva, strawberry producers in the Andalusian province are on course to deliver 245,000 tonnes of fresh fruit this season, of which some 85 per cent will be exported outside Spain.
Some 90 per cent of other berries produced in Huelva – principally blueberries, raspberries and blackberries – are also exported, like strawberries to primarily France, followed by Germany, Italy and the UK.
The association said the increased volumes were largely due to improved weather in the region, with the lack of any serious rainfall resulting in what it described as the best fruit quality in the last five seasons.
Huelva’s growers have also benefited from the fact that their fruit exports have not clashed with Moroccan volumes for the first time in 10 years.
Freshuelva is already taking steps to benefit from the more favourable circumstances by launching a promotional campaign in Germany, which will highlight the qualities of Spanish strawberries from 6-26 April.
The campaign features adverts in female-targeted magazines, as well as prominent billboard publicity in four major German cities – Berlin, Munich, Leipzig and Frankfurt.
