Spain: Strawberry revenues grew by 20.7% mandarin by 12.6%

Strong berry and citrus economic performance consolidates the strength of Huelva`s horticulture sector, according to Cajamar. Oranges are set back because of low consumption.

The last fruit and vegetable campaign, 2010/2011, in the province of Huelva had very good economic results, according to the analysis of the Cajamar Foundation. Yesterday, this foundation made public that production grew by 7.9%. The financial report has the support of the Agribusiness Technology Center, Adesva. Among the conclusions found in the study strawberries stood out, followed by raspberries, which took off well last season. The mandarin stood out as the star product of the province. These three fruits have become "the strength" of the sector in markets. Strawberries, raspberries and mandarins have two main features for consumers, quality and health guarantees. Both features were more than justified after the E.coli crisis, which caused a sharp downturn in sales, but was finally overcome with flying colors.

The strawberry crop keeps first place in the horticulture landscape, with an increase in price, which has led to an increase in revenues up to 20.7%. These two positive figures come from the hand of several factors that have led to a good production both in quantity and quality (with an increased tonnage of 8.5%), despite that the number of hectares under cultivation were significantly reduced. The growth results are justified by the good weather both at the start of the season and during the period of greatest production, which favored a staggered harvest that lasted well into spring.

Read full article: FreshPlaza.com

Strawberry gender decided by two genes, not one

A recent article in the CheckBiotech site by Stephanie Yao reports that new research by an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist and her cooperators found gender in strawberries is determined by two genes, not one as previously believed.Strawberry plants possess one of three reproductive functions. Male plants bear flowers that produce pollen but cannot set fruit. Female plants produce fruit if their flowers are pollinated, but cannot produce their own pollen. Hermaphrodites contain both male and female functions that enable them to flower, self-pollinate and bear fruit. Neuters, which look like male strawberry plants, can also exist but do not posses reproductive functions. Read full article at the CheckBiotech site>

New strawberry variety will extend local season and compete with imports

HALIFAX, N.S. — Strawberry lovers are getting a new type of egg-sized berry to sweeten their summers, a development 20 years in the making that might give Canadian growers a fresh advantage in an increasingly competitive market as well. Valley Sunset - named because it blooms late in the season - was developed in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley and will be available to growers next spring. Read more:

UK: New strawberry variety tastes supermarket success

A new variety of strawberry developed in Kent is going on sale in the South East as part of a supermarket’s plan to stock local produce on its shelves.

Peter Vinson, 65, has worked with soft fruits all his life and is widely regarded as one of the UK’s best breeders of new varieties.

His nephew Sean Figgis then grows them on 200 of the 600 acres they have spread across four farms in the Faversham area.

Now supermarket giant Tesco has agreed to put the new variety, called Sweet Eve, on its shelves until October.

It said the demand for locally grown strawberries and other produce means it has searched for the best suppliers around the UK.

Source: kentnews.co.uk

Tunnels should stretch strawberry season

Researchers, producers look into possible economic advantages

Mateusz Perkowski
Capital Press

Raising strawberries in tunnel-like greenhouses may provide farmers in Oregon's Willamette Valley with an extended growing season, but it's unclear whether the profits would justify the investment.

Oregon State University Extension berry specialist Bernadine Strik and other OSU researchers are studying the economic and agronomic potential for tunnel-grown strawberries as part of a project funded by the Oregon Strawberry Commission.

The technique has been used for other fruit crops around the globe, and it could offer numerous benefits to Oregon strawberry growers, at least in concept, Strik said at a recent field day at OSU's North Willamette Research and Extension Center.

"I would expect to see fruit quality advantages in the tunnel," she said.Tunnels would not only protect strawberries against rain - and thus the botrytis fungus - but may also prevent sunburn of the fruit, Strik said.

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Tunnels should stretch strawberry season

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