The Council of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of the Government of Andalusia, through the Delegation of Almeria, reported that the acreage under plastic in the province of Almeria will amount to around 36,600 hectares in the 2016/2017 campaign for courgettes, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, aubergine and green beans. This represents a decrease of 127 hectares (-0.35%) compared to the previous season, when the acreage devoted to the cultivation of these products totalled 36,727 hectares.
All products have seen their acreage reduced except for peppers, for which a notable growth has been estimated compared to other vegetables. Initial data, which could still vary between late August and early September, points to the acreage devoted to peppers reaching 10,100 hectares, compared to 9,491 last season; a 6.4% increase. This will involve a growth in the production of peppers, with between 45 and 50 million kilos more than last season.
Except for peppers, all products see their acreage reduced
The tomato acreage has fallen by 2.1%, from the 10,940 hectares of the 2015/2016 season to approximately 10,700 hectares for the next 2016/2017 campaign.
Cucumbers are falling from 5,026 hectares in the 2015/2016 campaign to 4,800 hectares (-4.4%).
Courgettes will be grown on 7,500 hectares, compared to 7,630 hectares in the previous season (-1.7%).
Aubergines will fall from 2,300 hectares last season to 2,200 this year (-4.3%).
Green beans will see their acreage fall by 2.9%, from 1,340 hectares last season to the current 1,300 hectares.
Improved greenhouse facilities
Behind these changes are the poor results achieved by most greenhouse horticultural products last season, except for peppers, which showed a very positive performance.
The Government of Andalusia notes that, despite this decline in the acreage, there has been a "continuous improvement in the greenhouse facilities," which, according to the perception of the Andalusian government, is helping the sector "face the season with great determination and strength; a result of the consistency of our production and commercial structures, despite the difficulties."