Almost 20 tons of strawberries produced in the Algarve began this week to be torn and discarded. All the production of the second half of the campaign was practically lost, unable to reach the scheduled destination, the Netherlands, which, however, with the arrival of its own harvest, stopped buying the Portuguese fruit.
Algarve producer interrupted the campaign
Without a tradition of consumption of this Dutch variety in the national market, producer Luís Rocha was forced to minimize the damage. Part of the fruit already harvested was offered to institutions, while the one that remained by spoon was eventually lying away. “As there was no flow today, tomorrow there will be no. We were going to accumulate fruit without selling, so we decided to end the campaign and in October we returned again,” the farmer told statements to.
The financial impact of the situation is significant. It is estimated that direct loss surrounds 50 thousand euros, in a business that strongly depends on export for northern European markets. The strawberry Algarve, small, juicy and soft, classified as a product premium In these regions, it has now been without destination, accumulating without buyer.
Return scheduled for October
With the campaign ended abruptly, the producers now wait for October, when they intend to resume the activity. Until then, the sector faces the challenge of finding solutions to prevent similar situations from happening, in an increasingly volatile and dependent market of the agricultural calendar of buying countries.
Plant strawberries at home
Although the Dutch variety of strawberries produced in the Algarve is not a tradition in the market, what is certain is that the time of this fruit so consumed in our country continues until summer. Therefore, you can always try to make your own strawberry production at home and do not need to have a large terrain to do so.
Summer is associated with fresh and sweet flavors and strawberries are undoubtedly protagonists this season. With its intense red color and the contrast of freshness in a single toothed, they are a mandatory presence on summer tables. More than the fruit, the strawberry, with its small white yellow flowers, also deserves to be highlighted for its ornamental value.
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Homemade cultivation with guaranteed flavor
For those who want to cultivate strawberries at home, know that maintenance is “simple” and the taste of homemade fruits promises to overcome the strawberries bought in supermarkets. “Just don’t be alarmed if the size of its fruits is tiny,” warns the Minigarden portal, because it is precisely in smaller strawberries that is the largest concentration of flavor.
Choosing the right variety is a crucial step to ensure a good harvest. In spring, reassembly varieties such as jungle, diamond, aroma, Albion and Seascape, which produce between June and October. Already non-rewarding varieties, such as Camaroso, Chandler or Candonga, should be planted in late summer and fruition once a year, between April and June.
Accessible and immediate plantation
The plantation process is also accessible. It is possible to purchase strawberry feet already in sauces, allowing a more immediate result. However, it is essential to choose the place for planting well: it should be a zone with good sunlight and little wind, as exposure to the sun directly influences the sweetness of the fruits.
As for the soil, the recommendation goes through loose and airy terrain, capable of retaining water without soaking, thus ensuring good drainage. During plantation should remove old leaves and ripe fruits to avoid rot, and in the first week a daily watering is indicated at the end of the day to ensure a good rooting.
Learn how to intensify the flavor of strawberries
Finally, to intensify the taste of strawberries, there are two ‘tricks’ that should take into account. The first is to avoid irrigation in the two days before harvesting and picking up at the hottest time of the day. With this care it is possible to transform a leisure activity into a guaranteed success and enjoy the true taste of summer, directly from the garden to the table.
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