John Grieve of specialist importer Lisons Ltd reports that rainfall in the main Spanish strawberry growing area of Huelva in south-west Spain could pose problems for some growers. April is traditionally a crucial month for Spanish exporters and this season all the more so as many have seen plants struggle to produce fruit earlier in the year due to cool temperatures.

'Our suppliers have managed to pick some strawberries today, but it depends who you speak to,' said Grieve. 'Today's rain is significant and may have hit quite a few producers. Those with high tunnels will not be as affected as those with low tunnels.' But time will tell exactly how damaging the rainfall has been, especially as more is forecast over the weekend. 'Growers will probably have to pick and throw away a lot of fruit, but it depends on what humidity is like after the rainfall,' explained Grieve. 'If there is a good wind after the rain that will help. But if not and it becomes damp and murky, then growers will face problems with botrytis.' AFI Direct Sales which specialises in supplying berry fruit to the multiples reports similar difficulties. It is sourcing from Morocco to make up for Spanish shortfall on strawberries. 'The weather has not been the same in Morocco at all and we are sourcing much more Camarosa from there rather than Spain at the moment,' said AFI's Ian Waller.

Raspberries in Huelva have not had the same battle as strawberries as they prefer slightly different conditions. Nevertheless, the season is slightly delayed. 'We usually start Tulameen in early to mid April but that could be delayed a little and we are supplying Glen Lyon at the moment,' said Waller. 'Blueberries have also experienced a delay and with Chile finishing early we are searching the world to fulfil programmes.'

Topics