EVOLUTION OF FRENCH STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION DURING THE LAST YEARS.

As third european producer, France has increased its production by 26 % since 1983 to reach 103 000 T. in 1987 (Tab. 1), with an area estimated as 8 400 ha, a 8 % decrease in comparison with 1983 (Fig. 1). The South West of France produces 60 % of the national production with 55 % from the single Aquitaine region (57 000 tons) ; Then the South East (7.8 %), the Rhône-Alpes region (7.8 %), the Centre and Val de Loire (11.3 %) (Tab. 1 ; Fig. 2–3).

In the South of France, 87 % of the crop is grown under small plastic tunnels (PVC or EVA), 7 % under large tunnels, 7 % on open fields. In the North of France, and the Rhône-Alpes region, open fields prevail. These last years, the main variety, GORELLA is rapidly decreasing (- 21 % since 1983) ; GORELLA : 57 % for the South West plantation in 1987, but 31 % on the national level ; ELSANTA : 8 % in the South West in 1987 is on a steady and rapid increase everywhere (36 % in the South West in 1988) ; GARIGUETTE : 9 % ; FAVETTE : 4 % ; ELVIRA : 6 % ; BELRUBI : 3.5 % ; BOGOTA : 3 % ; REDGAUNTLET : 9 % on large decrease ; everbearings : 13 % increasing, and the Californian junebearing varieties : 16 %. The Day-Neutral varieties are developing mainly with SELVA (Tab. 2 – 3 – 4).

The fresh strawberry exports (Germany, Belgium, England) 19 000 T. in 1987 (Tab. 5 – 6 ; Fig. 4) increase (+ 23 % compared with 1984) but more slowly than the Spanish imports (+ 192 % compared with 1983) (Tab. 7 – 8 ; Fig. 5). The crop production group commercialize 35 % of the national production (55 % in Aquitaine) and 80 % of the fresh strawberry exports.

The marketing period starts in April (early April in South East, late April in South West, with a peak in May). It extends in June and July in the Centre and the North then in Summer-Autumn in the different regions. (Fig. 6).

In 1987, the production of certified plants from the controlled nurseries (around 500 Ha) was 106 millions plants, for an estimated total amount of 240 millions plants, started from vitro-plantlets ; 60 % are cold storage plants.

The average price for a producer in 1987, is 12.70 Frs/kg (Fig. 7 – 8), with an average production cost estimated in 1986 from 11.00 Frs to 16.50 Frs/Kg, according to the areas, with a basis of 20 t./Ha.