Spanish growers report strong soft-fruit season

Spanish strawberry growers have closed their campaign having produced 19 per cent more fruit than last season.

Freshuelva, the growers’ organisation representing producers in the main production area of Huelva, said that output reached 302,600 tonnes and turnover reached €404.1 million, some 18 per cent up on the 2010-11 season. However, average prices were down 3.5 per cent year on year.

The season ran several weeks ahead of last year thanks to warm temperatures and high light levels at the end of December 2011 and in early January.

Raspberry production volume was broadly in line with last season, while prices rose two per cent and blueberry output so far has climbed 36 per cent with a six per cent uplift in prices.

Meanwhile blackberry production is some 30 per cent down on last season while values are 28 per cent higher.

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