Strawberry and raspberry growers in the southern Spanish region of Huelva have reported a fall in production compared with earlier predictions as a result of poor weather during April and May.
During a press conference, José Manuel Romero, president of Huelva-based strawberry producer and exporter association Freshhuelva, told the media that total production for 2007/08 campaign had reached 250,540 tonnes, which represented a 2.15 per cent fall from the previous season.
Of that total, 188,340 tonnes were sold as fresh strawberries, while 62,200 were processed.
Production of raspberries meanwhile totalled 12,870 tonnes, of which 12,620 was marketed as fresh, which the association said represented a 20 per cent fall in overall production compared with the year before.
Mr Romero told the media that the campaign had proceeded “very well until March”, but that cold weather during April and May had resulted in lower production. He added that competition in the market had also caused a “significant reduction” in the final part of the campaign.
For this reason, he said, Huelva’s growers are examining the possibility of harvesting earlier – at the start of May – to avoid clashing with lower-priced strawberries from France, Italy, Germany or Romania.
