Spanish strawberries are ready to enter the Canadian market.

After several years of efforts from Freshuelva and Fepex, the Spanish strawberries are ready to enter the Canadian market, confirmed the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA).

The Government of Spain accepted the requirements established by Canada for the marketing of berries, which includes a phytosanitary certificate without additional declaration.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will begin the import authorization process for the berry with an import trial period during which 100 percent of imported Spanish strawberry shipments will undergo physical inspections upon arrival in Canada.

The length of the trial period will depend on the number of shipments inspected and the rate of compliance. CFIA will inform when the trial import period ends, in which inspection fees will also be standardized.

Spain now has to develop the commercial route that favors the delivery of the fruit to its destination as soon as possible and in the best taste and quality conditions.

Strawberry is the most important crop in the province of Huelva. Last season this berry had a production of more than 250,000 tons, of which more than 80 percent were exported abroad.