International competition forces producing countries in any region of the world to advance in plant replacement to obtain a varietal improvement of crops, to offer better product quality and optimize resources, in the perspective of lowering the costs of the process and obtain higher economic returns.

In the case of blueberries, according to the projections of European experts, its consumption could multiply exponentially in the next decade, and increase the demand for the product by five times, easily reaching 700.000 tons per year of consumption in the European region.

Bet on growth

This reality has reactivated the Huelva industry, which already has its own varieties and intends to extend the production campaigns, extending its calendar to six months from November.

For its part, the consumption of blueberries has been privileged in the pandemic crisis, not only because of the preference of consumers and the market for healthy and natural products, but also because of the organoleptic qualities of the fruit, which make it comfortable to enjoy it individually or collectively in moments of confinement; in the field of teleworking or distance study; as fresh fruit, snack, or frozen; alone or as an accompaniment to other foods.

The prospects of a significant increase in the consumption of blueberries have caused Huelva producers to plan an important growth in their industry, which currently covers a planted area of ​​3.646 hectares and produces an approximate figure of 45.500 tons.

Past campaign

The harvest and marketing season of blueberries from Huelva was crossed by the abundant supply volumes from Peru and Chile, also from Morocco, in addition to the restrictions resulting from the health crisis, despite this, the values ​​reached by the Huelva blueberries they stood at 6 euros per kilo as an average price, which translated into economic returns that reached the figure of 260 million euros as a result of exports.

In the previous season, the production of blueberries in Huelva fell by approximately 40% due to the intense cold and excessive rains, which was offset by higher prices achieved in the market.

Current season

This year it is expected to recover the volumes, if there are no adverse weather conditions, and not only to recover them, but to increase them, because newer plantations with higher yields enter into production.

In the current campaign, Huelva producers could increase their production to more than 50% above the past averages, which implies greater pressure on prices, but which will finally stabilize due to the noticeable increase in demand. Prices close to 9 euros per kilo have already been reached and it is expected to reach 10 euros for the Huelva fruit in the next few days.

Strawberries

In the case of strawberries, the situation is different, since the impact of Covid-19 and the latest restrictive sanitary measures that have been implemented in Spain, affected the red fruit campaign, which already reached a volume of exports well above last season, reaching figures close to 500 million euros.

Strawberries, not being considered a staple product and when the Horeca channel (Hotels, Restaurants and Cafeterias) was closed, was significantly affected in its local consumption, however, blueberries have not been affected by sanitary measures, due to because its commercialization is channeled through the large distribution channel, which continues to operate throughout the crisis.

The strawberry has an area of ​​almost 7000 hectares planted producing more than 2.600 tons, achieving returns of almost 450 million euros due to the fact that they reached prices close to 2 euros per kilo.