Strawberry and blueberry production has decreased by 3% and 6% respectively in the 2025/2026 campaign due to persistent rain. Raspberry and blackberry, on the other hand, are growing strongly.
The 2025/2026 campaign for red fruits in Huelva has been marked by an especially rainy winter and spring. Storms have reduced the availability of fruit at key harvesting times, affecting both production and exports. This was reported by Freshuelva, the association that groups producers in the province.
The Strawberry Loses Ground
The strawberry, Huelva's flagship crop, has reached a production of 204,035 tonnes, which is 3% less than in the previous campaign. Persistent rain during the crop's development limited the volume marketed and reduced the available supply for much of the season.
The blueberry has also been affected by adverse weather conditions. The campaign closed with 59,500 tonnes, a 6% decrease compared to the previous year, due to the impact of storms on the crop's development.
Raspberry and Blackberry on the Rise
In contrast to this situation, the raspberry has shown a positive trend. Its production increased by 5%, reaching 39,545 tonnes, consolidating a positive trend that had already been observed in previous campaigns.
The blackberry has been the red fruit with the best performance. Production reached 2,517 tonnes, representing a 33% increase compared to the previous season, the largest percentage increase among all berries produced in Huelva.
Exports Also Affected
The impact of the rain has extended to foreign trade. Data accumulated until May shows a widespread reduction in the value of exports, a consequence of the lower volume of fruit sent to international markets.
The strawberry generated sales abroad of 675.7 million euros, a 3.3% decrease compared to the same period last year. Raspberry sales reached 222.7 million, down 3%, while blueberry sales amounted to 336.2 million, a 4% decrease.
The exception was the blackberry, whose exports grew by 12% and reached 20.6 million euros, driven by increased production and a good commercial response.
Germany, Main Buyer
Germany remains the main market for strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries from Huelva. For strawberries, the next destinations are the United Kingdom and France. For raspberries, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands complete the main markets, while for blueberries, the Netherlands and France stand out. For blackberries, the main buyer is again the Netherlands, followed by Germany and France.
Freshuelva Calls for Measures to Enhance Competitiveness
The association believes that the campaign has once again demonstrated the sector's adaptability, which has maintained supply to international markets despite weather difficulties, without compromising on quality standards, food safety, and varietal innovation.
However, Freshuelva insists on the need to advance on strategic issues affecting the competitiveness of farms. Among these are the availability of water resources, improvement of hydraulic infrastructure, stability of the workforce, soil disinfection, and balanced competition conditions against imports from third countries.
In this regard, the organization reiterates its support for the implementation of mirror clauses that ensure imported products meet the same social, labor, phytosanitary, and environmental requirements that European producers must adhere to.
For the residents of Huelva, this campaign translates into a lower supply of local fruit in supermarkets and possibly higher prices, although the sector hopes to recover lost ground next season if the weather is favorable.
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