Strawberry in South America: from the Caribbean to Patagonia

Abstract

Across a vast continent, strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) are produced and consumed in virtually all the South American (SA) countries, from the Caribbean (Venezuela) to the Patagonia region (Argentina and Chile). Except for the Guyanas, in all SA countries the strawberry industry has strong links with cultural, economic and social aspects. As a whole, South America grows approximately 13200 ha and produces about 350400 t of strawberry, which in some countries are available year round (Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela) due to climatic diversity. In other countries, strawberry production occurs predominantly from spring to autumn (Chile and Peru) or from winter to spring (Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay). Production volumes vary considerably among countries. Brazil and Chile are the major strawberry producers, with 120000 and 56300 t, respectively. Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela are within the same range of cultivated area as Chile, but their productions are lower: 45500, 42500, 15000, 22000 and 27600 t, respectively, due to technological issues. Smaller productions can be found in Uruguay (6250 t), Bolivia (4250 t) and Paraguay (3500 t). Most of the fruit are marketed in domestic or regional markets, with a variable portion going for processing (locally or exported). Regarding to the genetic of the planting material used in South America, University of California (UC) cultivars dominate the varietal spectrum.