Early Spanish strawberry varieties are already being picked, grower-exporters’ association Freshuelva reports.

Area under production has risen slightly - by two per cent - on last year to reach 6,400ha and the total harvest is forecast to reach about 245,000 tonnes.

Maincrop varieties will not begin their season until early February and availability is likely to continue throughout May, although Freshuelva general manager Rafael Domínguez warned that it is still early days for any more accurate indications. “Our crop is very affected by climatic conditions and it is no use saying today that we will have a fantastic season, as it could be brought up sharply by frost or rain as we have seen in the past,” he said. “We have to wait and see.”