The 2024/2025 soft fruit campaign in Huelva has closed with a mixed bag: a decline in strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry production, but a significant improvement in exports, especially for blueberries and strawberries. This was stated by Freshuelva, Huelva Strawberry Producers and Exporters Association, presenting the final data for a season marked by uneven weather, the resilience of the sector, and the dynamism of international markets.

Production down: adverse weather and affected varieties
Strawberries, the main victim of the rains

Strawberry production closed at 210.345 tons, a 5% drop compared to the previous season. Heavy rains during the ripening period, especially for early varieties, were a determining factor in this decline.

However, demand has remained constant throughout the campaign, and prices have been similar to those of 2023/2024, thanks to varietal diversification, which has allowed for a more stable supply better adapted to market conditions.

Raspberry and blackberry: sharpest decline

In the case of raspberries, production reached 37.660 tons, a 6,5% drop. Blackberries, meanwhile, fell 11% to 1.890 tons.

This decline is due, according to Freshuelva, to both issues climatic as well as crop decisions that prioritize other berries with better profitability or adaptability to the environment.

Blueberry, the positive note

In the face of the general decline, blueberries remain the most dynamic crop, with production of 63.150 tons, an 8% increase over the previous year.

This growth is due to two main factors:

• The entry into production of new plantations
• The lengthening of the harvest calendar, resulting from the use of early and late varieties

Exports on the rise: external value as a driving force for the sector
Global increase in export value in 2025

During the first four months of 2025, exports of Huelva red fruits have experienced a significant improvement compared to the same period in 2024, both in overall value and in individual performance by crop, according to data from FEPEX.

Germany and the United Kingdom, key destinations

The main destinations for Huelva's berry exports remain stable. In all categories, Germany and the United Kingdom stand out as the leading markets, followed by other European countries:

Strawberry and raspberry: France occupies third position

Blueberry: The Netherlands gains prominence as the third most important destination

Sector resilience and institutional demands
Adaptation and innovation as hallmarks

Freshuelva emphasizes that, despite the decline in production, the campaign has reflected the sector's commercial strength, its ability to adapt to adversity, and its commitment to varietal innovation and food safety.

Among the main strategies adopted:

• Varietal diversification to reduce risks
• Extension of the production calendar
• Bet on foreign markets with added value

Mirror clauses and reciprocity: urgent demands

The association insists on the urgency of establishing fair competition measures, especially with regard to imports from third countries. In this regard, it calls for:

• Application of mirror clauses, which guarantee equal conditions in social, labor and environmental requirements
• Strengthening reciprocity mechanisms in trade agreements
• Greater regulatory protection for European producers

Conclusion: lights and shadows in a strategic campaign for Huelva
The 2024/2025 soft fruit campaign in Huelva presents a mixed picture. On the one hand, climatic difficulties and production setbacks have affected the yields of several crops. On the other hand, the strong export performance, especially of blueberries and strawberries, offers an optimistic outlook.

In this context, the sector is reaffirming its position as the spearhead of Spanish agricultural exports, although it urgently requires institutional support to maintain its competitiveness, especially in an increasingly demanding global environment.

Huelva berry campaign review 2024/2025

• Total strawberry production: -5% (210.345 t)
• Raspberry production: -6,5% (37.660 t)
• Blackberry production: -11% (1.890 t)
• Blueberry production: +8% (63.150 t)
• Strawberry exports: +9,5% (€699,3 million)
• Blueberry exports: +24% (€350,8 million)
• Raspberry exports: -0,5% (€229,6 million)
• Blackberry exports: +10,5% (€18,3M)

Summary table