Industry association Freshuelva said planted area will grow by just 1 per cent, with strawberries and blueberries leading the charge
Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries will see a slight increase in planted area, while raspberries will remain stable. The sector faces the season after episodes of wind and rain that affected some plantations.
Berry acreage in Huelva is forecast to grow by 1 per cent to 12,388ha in 2026 according to Spanish berry association Freshuelva. It said the figure confirms the general stability of the sector and the consolidation of berries as an agricultural and economic driver for the province.
Strawberry acreage is projected to increase by 0.9 per cent to 6,490ha, maintaining its position as the province’s main berry crop. “During the planting period, episodes of rain and wind affected some of the crops, requiring the replacement of some greenhouse infrastructure,” Freshuelva said. “Despite this, the vegetative delay has been slight, and Huelva strawberries are expected to be available in national and European markets again this year during the Christmas holidays.”
Raspberry acreage has remained practically unchanged at 1,924ha, while blackberry cultivation has grown by 2.4 per cent to 172ha. Freshuelva said the increase is due to with the introduction of new varieties adapted to different production cycles, allowing for year-round fruit availability and further expansion of its market presence.
Blueberries, meanwhile, consolidate their position as the second most important berry in the province, with a 1.5 per cent increase in planted area to 3,802ha. “Varietal diversification allows for early production in December, improving competitiveness against South American production and also responding to growing demand from Spanish consumers,” Freshuelva said. However, it warned of increasing competition from third countries, such as Morocco and Egypt, as well as the significant increase in acreage in Portugal.
The association noted that the slight increase in overall acreage reflects “the resilience and adaptability of the sector, which continues to invest in varietal innovation, production efficiency, and professionalization to maintain its leadership in international markets”.
