The strawberry sector deplores a decline of -20% in profitability

Declining profitability for the strawberry sector that recorded a decline in prices by -20% over the last 2 seasons.

The meeting of the strawberry sector (Mesa de Trabajo of Fresa) allowed to establish a diagnosis on profitability. While the production fell from 330 000 tons in 2011-12 to 302 280 tons in 2012-13 and to 279 880 tons last year, prices have also declined. Decline by -2.2% (0.90 euro / kg) compared to the 2012-13 campaign and by -19.6% (1.12 euro / kg) compared to the 2011-12 campaign.

The price decline is explained by a demand greater than supply. The high temperatures recorded in other countries (France, Italy, Holland, Belgium, Germany) have advanced the local production and hinder the Huelva strawberry in these markets.

The industry believes that it should further improve the varieties in taste and quality, but also in precocity not to enter into a competitive disadvantage with other countries. As well as diversify the production with complementary crops such as raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.

source : finanzas com, emartv es