Florida Fortuna and Rociera will remain the most demanded strawberry varieties in 2021.

Through the Advisory and Transfer Platform of agricultural and fishing knowledge of Andalusia (Servifapa), the Strawberry Group of the Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (Ifapa) presented the technical report with the varietal composition of the strawberry crop of Huelva in the 2020-2021 campaign.

This report highlights the two leading varieties that account for 56.7 percent of the total, and are the same varieties as the previous season that accounted for 61.8 percent. 

Florida Fortuna from the University of Florida is still the most cultivated variety with 35.8 percent of presentation, a figure almost similar to the previous season (36.2 percent).

Rociera from Fresas Nuevos Materiales is the second variety with 20.9 percent, 4.7 percent lower than last season (25.6 percent). Followed by the Primoris and Rabida varieties, also presenting a decrease in production; thus, in the case of Primoris, in this campaign it has a representation of 1.3 percent while the previous year it was 2.3 percent. Rabida shows a 4.4 percent presence, which is 6.1 percent lower than last season.

Victory from Plant Sciences/Berry Genetics went from the exclusive use variety to the open use variety, passing from 10.0 percent in 2020 to 2.4 percent in 2021. The varieties of this producer showed a slight increase, due to its exclusive varieties that reach 9.8 percent. 

Calinda from Fresh Forward passes from 4.9 percent in 2019-20 to 5.4 percent. 

Palmerita variety from Masiá Ciscar S.A. goes from 3.4 percent to 5.0 percent.

The increase in the varietal proposal and the interest of genetic improvement companies in developing varieties adapted to the Huelva region makes it possible to draw up a production calendar corresponding to commercial needs.

The report highlights the increased presence of different genetic improvement programs, such as those of the University of Florida, Fresas Nuevos Materiales, Plant Sciences/Berry Genetics, Masiá Ciscar, Fresh Forward and Nova Siri Genetic. These programs total about 65 percent of the total plants in production this season in Huelva.