The Andalusian Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Fisheries, Food and Ecological Production (IFAPA) analyzed the varietal distribution in Huelva's strawberry cultivation for the 2023/2024 campaign. This analysis, available on the Platform for Advice and Transfer of Agricultural and Fisheries Knowledge in Andalusia (SERVIFAPA), provides a detailed view of the predominant trends in strawberry varieties planted and the influence of the main genetic improvement programs.
According to the document, production is led by the Marisma, Fortuna, and Rociera varieties, which account for 31.3% of the strawberries planted. Marisma stands out as the most cultivated variety, with 10.7%, marking an upward trend in its commercial presence. On the other hand, the presence of the Fortuna and Rociera varieties, which accounted for 75.4% of all strawberries in the 2018/19 campaign, has decreased.
The genetic improvement programs that have the most influence on Huelva's current varietal strawberry composition are those of Fresas Nuevos Materials S.A. (23.2%), Plant Sciences (16.7%), the University of Florida (14.4%), and Masiá Ciscar S.A. (14.3%). This fact underlines the importance of varietal choice in each campaign, a key factor for producers' search for competitive advantages or uniqueness in the market.
The document also highlights the growth in the number of genetic improvement companies interested in developing varieties adapted to the conditions of Huelva. This contributes to greater diversity in the varietal supply, allowing producers to design production calendars that better fit their commercial needs.
Source: huelvainformacion.es