The surface area of butternut squash in Spain increases by 18%

The pumpkin season is starting with good expectations for this vegetable, whose consumption trend continues to increase. This is reflected in the campaign data, as stated by Joaquín Navarro, head of pumpkin development at Sakata Seed Ibérica: “the cultivated surface has increased by 18%. And although production has been affected, in part, by climatic factors such as the lack of rain or high temperatures, this situation has been compensated by the increase in surface area, so the final balance is very similar to that of the previous season.” In Spain, the main pumpkin production areas are Murcia, Alicante and La Mancha. Joaquín Navarro explained that “the first pumpkins are always harvested at the beginning of June in Murcia and Alicante and continue from mid-September to mid-October in the inland areas of the peninsula, the latest in terms of harvesting.” As for their destination, the priority is national consumption. The first harvests go directly to direct sale and are stored ...