Spanish strawberry production area expands 3.5%

Spain’s strawberry production area increased by 3.5% in 2018, from 5,890 hectares to 6,095. The country’s 2017/18 campaign ended with a production of 280,300 tons, 8% less than twelve months earlier, while the production of other berries increased, blueberries (+15%), raspberries (+2%) and blackberries (+8%). Next week, representatives of the Spanish, Italian and French strawberry sectors will meet to review last season and discuss the campaign ahead. Among the objectives of the meeting, as recently announced by the new coordinator of the Product Committee of Oi Ortofrutta Italia, Pietro Ciardiello, is the enhancement of the Italian strawberry from a qualitative and ethical point of view, focusing on healthiness and sustainability. Moreover, actions are being sought against counterfeits and illegal forms of origin labelling.