Spain: The plantation of blueberries grows more than one 30% to the detriment of the strawberry
The recently completed planting phase of this strawberry campaign shows a total planted area of the set of red fruits in the province of Huelva that experiences a growth of 3,85% compared to the 9.658 hectares of berries planted in the last year. On this occasion, there will be a total of 10.030 hectares dedicated to red fruits.
The Association of Producers and Exporters of the Strawberry of Huelva, Freshuelva, reported that, according to the data provided by the companies associated with it, the strawberry planted area for the next campaign has fallen again, this time an 7%, which contrasts, on the other hand, with the growth of 22% in the planted hectares of raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.
In this context, the area destined for the next strawberry campaign has gone from the 5.860 hectares of the last campaign, to the 5.400 of the current one. As for raspberries, there will be 1.932 hectares planted, for the 1.815 that there was last year, which represents an increase of 6,45% of surface area enabled for raspberry production.
In the case of blueberries, it will go from 1.953 to 2.538 hectares planted, which also translates into an increase of 30%, the highest of those experienced by all berries, since the area of blackberries grows 23%: from 130 to 160 hectares. However, in the latter case, new extra-early varieties have been planted, which are intended to cover a greater temporary space in the markets for this fruit.
It will be the first time that the blueberry will be the second berry in the area planted in the province of Huelva, although it must be taken into account that it is a shrub that begins its commercial production from the third year, with which, no all plants go into production this season.
The agrarian organization notes that these last two crops have a greater projection towards the area of the West Coast of Huelva, where there is a guarantee of the necessary surface water for them and, in fact, several farms have been put into operation from the county. Once the planting phase is over, there have been rains that have benefited the evolution of strawberry plants in the different growing areas of the province.
Freshuelva also wanted to highlight that these data show that the commitment to diversification of crops started in previous campaigns is being consolidated, thus guaranteeing the presence of Huelva berries in the markets for practically nine months of the year.
The 'berries' of the future go through export
Blueberries begin to make their place in the national market, but it is certainly in the export market where they have obtained their main reason for their spectacular growth. Strawberries as a star product, raspberries and blackberries face the emergence of a fruit that will undoubtedly mark the future of the sector in the province. Very popular in European markets, mainly in the Nordic countries and the United Kingdom, blueberries have an advantage, their greater durability, which allows them to meet the demands of transport, since they can last several days in perfect conditions. Aware that they will also have their decline, the producers seem, in the light of the data provided by Freshuelva, to bet on a fruit of the future.
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