Strawberry accounts for 0.1% of the fruit eaten in Argentina, and its per capita consumption is 165 grams per year. Meanwhile, in Europe, per capita consumption amounts to 1 kilo per year.
Argentina produces 30,000 tons of strawberries per year in approximately 1,000 hectares. Yields vary widely between regions and between producers in the same region. It is a crop of great economic value and that has great industrialization possibilities (sweets, jellies, ice cream).
The country produces strawberries practically throughout the whole year. Production begins in June in the North (Salta, Tucuman); then it continues in Corrientes and in Santa Fe, where Coronda -one of the most important producing areas at the national level- produces it from September to December. Then, production continues in the belt of Buenos Aires, from October to December and from February to March. Meanwhile, the southern part of the country produces strawberries, especially from December to March.
The world's strawberry production has grown by 13% in the last five years, reaching 4,516,810 tons. The main producer is the United States, with 1,366,850 tons. 80% of the production is allocated for the fresh market. The central valley coast of California is called by some the world capital of the berry, due to its production of strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. It is the biggest producer of strawberries in the world. It is followed by Mexico, with 360,426 tons, and by Turkey, with 353,173 tons. Next is Spain, with 289,900 tons, 75% of which is destined for sale in fresh. Egypt ranks fifth, with 242,297 tons.
Source: lanacion.com.ar