According to figures released by Ferrara-based Fruit and Vegetables Service Center (CSO - Centro Servizi Ortofrutticoli), Italy accounts for 3500 hectares of  land devoted to strawberry cultivation in 2010, 7% less compared to 2009.

A decrease in areas planted with strawberries on the Italian territory was expected, especially as a result of a year like 2009, when prices have certainly not offered great satisfaction to the producers.

CSO estimates for 2010 show a general decline in strawberry crops in all regions of Italy, with the exception of Sicily, where land surfaces stayed substantially stable.

In the northern regions a veritable collapse of strawberry cultivation is observed: -18% over last year in Emilia Romagna region, - 5% in Veneto and -4% in Piedmont. Regions of the South such as Campania, Calabria and Basilicata, which in recent years invested in strawberry, this year reduced the surfaces by 10%.

However, this downward trend in strawberry cultivation, which for 80% takes place under shelter and for 20% in floor area, is in line with trends in Spain where from 2008-2009 to the 2009-2010 campaign over 1,100 hectares of strawberries have been lost just in Huelva, which is the area that concentrates the highest supply.

Italian production, however, presents very interesting  and competitive features as for quality and varietal diversification. CSO survey on varieties planted for the year 2010 shows an effort to diversify the variety and selection of varieties with good organoleptic characteristics that should be rewarded by the market and consumers.

In Italy EVA variety will prevail, followed by Roxana in Veneto. In Emilia Romagna the Alba variety is still prevalent, Roxana is growing as well. In Campania, although there are a clear dominance of Camaro, a variety that has dominated the production of the Mediterranean in recent years, Candonga variety is also gaining share due to its good qualities. This variety is currently the most widely cultivated one in Basilicata.

This varietal differentiation - which allows a presence on the market aimed at satisfying the tastes of consumers - could be a strength for Italian strawberries in the coming years.