Raspberry production has always been present in the berry market, but eclipsed by the popularity of blueberries. This purple fruit is cultivated around the world in soil or with hydroponics systems for the increasing demand of it in the international markets.
Nevertheless, the hectares dedicated to the raspberry cultivation has increased significantly over the years. An Eurostat’s report in 2016 prognosticate that berries market would increase by 7% per year, making the raspberry the most popular berry.
The raspberry cultivation
Due to its mediterranean origin, the best raspberry crops are obtained in mild weather. The climate conditions have a deeply influence in certain varietes of raspberry, determining if they are remontant (two blooms per year) or not (one flowering per year).
Referring to soil conditions, it must be deep to facilitate the root development, and wet but without drainage problems. Actually, the humidity is a indispensable factor for the raspberry cultivation, especially during the reproductive phase. The best soils are the sandy loam soil, loamy soils and claim loam soils.
The presence of organic material must be higher than 5% to preserve the soil’s humidity and temperature, and to improve soil’s structural and chemical characteristics. Besides, pH values should be between 6 and 6.8.
Worldwide raspberry production
In Spain, the raspberry production is centered in the province of Huelva with 2.300 hectares. This means a surface increasing of 7% comparing to the last period, according to the lasts reports. In the last Huelva’s exportation campaign, raspberries represented the 28,3% of total exportations, adding up 203 millions of euros.
In Europe, the raspberry production is also upward. Poland is the first producer and exporter of raspberries, followed by Serbia, Belgium and Ukraine.
Worldwide, countries like Morocco, Chile, Mexico or South Africa have strongly erupted in the market increasing the competetitiveness.
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