Continued poor weather in Spain has meant that the strawberry crop has failed to materialise in the volumes expected at this time of year. Growers are also having to watch for botrytis, according to importer AFI. At present, other Mediterranean sources such as Morocco, Israel and Egypt are still able to plug the gap. In the long term, however, when there is an improvement in temperatures the market could be faced with a substantial surge in supply from Spain. A similar situation exists for blueberries, although the Chilean crop may not prove to be of sufficient volume to make up the shortfall. The first Spanish arrivals are expected within a fortnight. {{M/E FRESH PRODUCE }}

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