STRAWBERRY MARKETING FARMER GROUPS ON THE COAST OF HUELVA (SPAIN)

Spain with an area of 7500 ha in 1984 is the second largest producer of strawberries (120000 t) in the European Community after Italy (153000 t). The sector has developed rapidly mainly due to the growth of our external markets. In ten years production increased by 450 p. 100 while exports increased by 6000 p. 100.

As harvesting starts on the Coast of Huelva at the end of January, it is the area of the country where development has been fastest, producing in 1985 around 70000 t, more than 50 p. 100 of total Spanish production. The Farmer Groups in the area have contributed to this development. They emerged at the end of the 70's and by the beginning of the 80's were accounting for 65 p. 100 of the total production area. A personal survey was conducted among all farmer groups in the area trying to show the marketing functions they realize and how they market the products in both domestic and external markets.

At present another factor that is influencing the rapid development of the sector is the entry of Spain into the EEC and the subsequent reduction of tariffs that lies ahead.

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