Spain Expects Smaller Strawberry Crop

WASHINGTON - Oct 24/06 - SNS -- Strawberry production in Spain is expected to decline next year, according to a recent report from the U.S. agricultural attache for the country.

About 90% of Spanish fresh strawberry production comes from the Southern Andalucia Community, where some 95% of that total is concentrated in the Huelva province. Dominant varieties cultivated are the Reina de los valles, the Camarosa, Tudia, Oso grande, Cartuno and Carisma. The bulk of production comes from greenhouses and tunnels. While hydroponic production is just beginning here, we expect it to expand in the coming years.

The strawberry sector benefits from economic support under the DU fruit and vegetables Common Market Organization (CMO). Under this CMO, organized Producer Organizations have access to DU and national co-financing funds for building/improving handling and processing plants, and product marketing.

This year's harvest is estimated at 333,500 metric tons (MT), up from last year's 295,000 MT drought reduced crop. In the coming year, production could slip back to 306,400 MT as yields return closer to their averages.

The U.S, agricultural attache said, "We expect Spanish 2007 fresh strawberry exports at 200,000 MT, down from an estimated 217,000 MT during 2006. This forecast is based on the assumption of average per hectare production for 2007.

"We expect Spanish frozen strawberry exports to reach 15,500 MT in 2007, down from 19,700 MT in 2006, because frozen strawberry use in further processing continues to grow."