Huelvan berry producers sum up the 2021/2022 campaign

Strawberry production in Huelva, the main berry-producing region in Spain, totaled 270.120 tons in the 2021/22 season, according to the Huelva Strawberry Producers and Exporters Association, Freshuelva. This figures reflect a 4% decline from last season.

 

In turn, the average sale price increased by 2.80%, according to the statistical data provided by the associated producers, however it didn't help to compensate for the rise in production costs, with which the profitability of the crops was reduced.

 

This season was characterized by climatic adversities. As a result of frosts in December and January, there was little quantity of fruit, although of high quality throughout the campaign.

 

Above all, a good part of the production was destined for industry due to the heat of the last weeks of the season, reducing fresh sales, but reaching the final consumer with an acceptable product.

 

The other challenge was the complicated marketing due to the transport strike in the country in March, in the middle of the production season.

 

 

Raspberry production totaled 49.990 tons, an increase of 7.5% compared to the previous season. Similarly, the average sale price grew by 1.5%.

 

Blueberries showed the largest increase in production, with a total of 59.100 tons (+20.2% compared to 2020/21). The rise is due to the fact that the most recent plantations continue to reach their productivity over time. The average sale price decreased 18%.

 

The campaign for this berry was characterized by a delay in ripening in the first months of the year, but then the high temperatures in May accelerated ripening. As a result, productions of different varieties and from different origins coincided, leading to market oversaturation and the consequent drastic drop in price for several weeks.

 

Blackberry production reached 2.000 tons, the same volume as in the previous season, although the current one was also marked by a decrease in the average price (-6%).

 

The main destinations continue to be Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

 

 

 

 

source:freshuelva.es