Spanish producer and exporter groups and associations have come together to form a whole-chain trade body that represents the entirety of strawberry production in the Huelva region.
Interfresa comprises Asaja, Coag, Faeca, Freshuelva and UPA and intends to focus on enhancing quality over quantity and diversification as its main challenges.
The new body has been established under the auspices of the regional government of Andalusia as set out in its strawberry and raspberry strategic plan. Some e66.54 million will be contributed by the authority with the remaining e99.97m coming from the sector bodies themselves.
“We are very pleased at the formation of the new body,” Manuel Verdier, director-general of Freshuelva told FPJ. “There are no miracle cures, but we really think this will help our sector.”
Negotiations have been on going since legislation came into effect in March last year, allowing for the establishment of such groups. A very poor season in 2006, has created an even greater sense of urgency amongst the strawberry sector with low prices and the absence of any sort of system to control production excesses.
At the launch of the new body this week, Andalusia farm minister Isías Pérez Saladaña highlighted the importance of having 100 per cent representation of the strawberry sector in the group as vital in achieving its aims.
The minister also underlined the importance of adapting supply to meet demand and progressing both organic and integrated fruit production techniques as well as research and development work. Huelva accounts for 90 per cent of Spanish strawberry production and 30 per cent of the European crop.
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