Spagna

"As soon as the new varieties — crunchier, tastier, larger — hit supermarket shelves consistently, consumers won’t be able to help but notice the difference."

Each doctor present also received a brochure on blueberries, with properties and nutritional values. "It is useful to consider them for disease prevention and health improvement," said Francisco José Gómez, president of Cuna de Platero.

Cuna de Platero expects a good strawberry crop in April. The cooperative Cuna de Platero (Moguer/Huelva) specialises in strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, with more than 100 producers on an area of 900 hectares. Research and development of varieties a are key for the future.

Variety selection remains one of the most important aspects in each season for this crop. Marisma, Fortuna and Rociera are in the season 2023/24 the main strawberry varieties cultivated in Huelva, where there are 14 variety programmes.

The first part of the export season for Huelva strawberries was positive from a marketing point of view. Valentine's Day should be highlighted, with a significant increase in demand both in Spain and in the rest of Western European countries.

Just over a year has passed since the launch of Easy raspberries, selected by Alessandro Lucchini. The partnership with G-Berries has launched Easy raspberries into the commercial phase. Interview with Luca Molari (Managing Partner of G-Berries) and Alessandro Gualandi (Variety Development Manager of G-Berries).

The report 'New Challenges for Blueberry Expansion in Asturias' analyses four challenges: re-evaluation of harvest dates; varietal replacement; climate risk control and quality improvement; minimising the unproductive period and maximising productivity.

The top three positions are occupied by Onubafruit, Fresón de Palos, and Arofa S.L. Onubafruit retains the top spot with 80,000 tonnes, although it reduced its quantity by 11%. In the same position as the previous year is Fresón de Palos, with a production of 65,000 tonnes.

The extra-early blueberry programme of Huelva-based Onubafruit grew out of a multi-year project to develop proprietary varieties that could be harvested when European supply is at its lowest. The result is a series of new varieties covering the early part of the season.

The areas under berries in the province of Huelva amounted to 11,243 hectares for the 2023/24 campaign, according to the Huelva berry association, Freshuelva. This represents a decrease of 4.75 per cent compared to the previous season. Raspberry areas are plummeting.