The red fruit sector has presented its data regarding the crops of the different varieties for this campaign. Thus, as the manager of the Interfresa, Pedro Marín, has transferred, the total cultivated area in the province amounts to 11.630 ha, "A figure that represents a drop of 1% compared to last year's campaign."

Hope in growing blueberries

Regarding the crops, the strawberry is one more year the variety that occupies the most hectares, 6.105 ha, 2% less than in the previous season. The area devoted to the cultivation of Blueberries is the only one that has grown, more than 7%, something that leads them to reach 3.110 ha. Raspberry is the most pronounced drop, 10%, which places this fruit at 2.070 ha; and blackberry, the most minority crop, remains the same as last season with an area of ​​145 ha.

With these figures, explained José Luis García-Palacios Álvarez, president of Interfresa, the sector faces a campaign “marked mainly by the importance that the climate natural has in the red fruit crops in the province, as well as the difficulties that we are encountering to commercialize due to the complicated circumstances of this year ”. García Palacios added that "in addition to the complications generated by the border closures caused by the pandemic, we are detecting that the market is beginning to not have the capacity to absorb production, but we will have to wait until June to know the global situation."

On the other hand, the president of Interfresa has wanted to focus on workers in the sector and the continuous attacks they receive, "a sector that is vital for the Huelva economy, made up of a serious business community and sensitive that it will not allow that because of a minority they are attacked ”.

Thus, García-Palacios has guaranteed that they they are the first to be vigilant when it comes to detecting possible irregularities, "And when we have knowledge we will proceed to the immediate complaint to safeguard the honor, dignity and viability of the vast majority of farms and their workers," he adds.

A sector of great importance

According to the data presented by the interprofessional of the red fruits, the sector generates between 80.000 and 100.000 jobs each season. Of these hires, 52% are Spanish, 20% of Community origin and 28% from outside the European Union, figures show the importance of the sector.

In this sense, the manager of Interfresa, Pedro Marín, has insisted that “the attack and demonization cannot be allowed” of a sector that represents 11.630 hectares of plantations, 1.300 producers, six business associations, and that it is "fundamental point of the Huelva economy".

Labor force

According to the data presented by the interprofessional of the red fruits, the sector generates between 80.000 and 100.000 jobs each season. Of these hires, 52% are Spanish, 20% of Community origin and 28% from outside the European Union, figures show the importance of the sector.

In this sense, the manager of Interfresa, Pedro Marín, has insisted that “the attack and demonization cannot be allowed” of a sector that represents 11.630 hectares of plantations, 1.300 producers, six business associations, and that it is "fundamental point of the Huelva economy".

Likewise, when faced with the journalists' questions, Marín has had no qualms about answering how much it amounts to. the salary of seasonal workers.

Marín shows some of the attacks on the sector during the press conference / RAFA DEL BARRIO

Marín also stressed that during the 2019-2020 campaign, “there have been two complaints in companies in the sector, representing 0,0015% of all companies that make up the fabric of the red fruit sector ”and that involve 18 affected people.

Responses from the authorities

For this reason, he has defended that will be "forceful" against anyone who acts "with impunity", but that “the globalization that is being done to the sector cannot be tolerated” because “any attack has to be supported.”

To finish, Marín has made reference to the settlements near the producing localities and it has demanded a solution from the administrations since they consider it "unfair" to hold the sector responsible, noting that already in 2010 they asked the Public Prosecutor to "act forcefully to determine what are the competences of each administration to solve the trouble".