The latest CSO report highlights a 4% growth in strawberry crops with respect to 2015, which now covers 3,740 hectares.
The main increase has been in the South of the country, especially in Basilicata and Campania, which now grow 45% of domestic volumes. 850 hectares are in Basilicata alone, +20% with respect to 2015. Campania also saw a slight increase in cultivated areas and can now count on little over 800 hectares. Veneto, the third strawberry producer region, remained rather stable.
Emilia Romagna saw a 2% drop with respect to the previous year, while Piedmont increased its production by 1%, just like the Trento province. Volumes remained constant in the Bolzano province. Calabria experienced a 1% drop, while Sicily had to face a 5% drop.
For what concerns varieties, Candonga is the most popular in Basilicata and Sabrina in Campania. Eva, Garda and Antea are dominant in Veneto, while Emilia Romagna grows Alba, Brilla and Roxana and Piedmont Alba, Asia, Portola and Clery.
Consumption in 2015 was not as good as 2014, though it must be said that purchasing trends have been very positive in the past 5 years, with a 10,000 ton increase for a total of 83,000 tons sold in 2015 (Source: CSO processing of GFK data).
Imports have dropped in 2015, while 13,000 tons were exported (between January and October) - a 4% increase with respect to the previous year, a sign that Italian strawberries are much appreciated abroad.
