Aragon and Extremadura report losses in early varieties, but season still on track to deliver positive results
Hail and rain are affecting the harvesting of early cherry varieties in Extremadura and Aragón, according to Spain’s Fepex Cherry Committee. But it said despite these early setbacks, the season remains on track and production volumes are expected to recover as later varieties come on stream.
As of the end of April, the heads of the regional associations were forecasting a positive outlook for the coming season. Since then, however, there have been reports of hail damage to early and mid-season production in Extremadura, while heavy rains have also led to cracking in part of the crop. However, later varieties are not believed to have been affected, and Extremadura remains on track to meet its initial forecast of 40,000 tonnes of production.
In Aragon, original estimates pegged the crop at 60,000 tonnes. But here too, rain and hail damage is believed to have caused skin cracking in up to 40 per cent of production of early varieties.
Catalonia, where harvesting has yet to get underway, has been less affected by the bad weather. Here, production is expected be 11 per cent up on 2025. In the Valencian Community and specifically in Alicante, normal production is expected, despite some impact on early varieties due to inclement weather, the committee heard.
During the committee’s most recent meeting on 13 May, the opening of new markets – specifically China – was also discussed. Although the protocol for Spanish cherry exports to China was signed in April last year, shipments to the Chinese market have yet to begin this season as they are pending final authorisation from the Chinese authorities.
In 2025, Spain exported 44,234 tonnes of cherries worth €192mn, according to customs data. By autonomous community, Catalonia led the way with 11,722 tonnes, followed by Aragon, with 9,956 tonnes, Extremadura, with 9,620 tonnes and the Valencian Community, with 5,119 tonnes.
The Fepex Cherry Committee is made up of the following associations: Afrucat (Catalonia), Aeamde, Excofrut and APEPH (Aragon), Afruex (Extremadura), Arifruit (La Rioja), Fexphal (Alicante) and Apoexpa (Murcia). Its president is Jose Antonio Tierno, president of the Association of Cooperatives of Valle del Jerte, in turn integrated into Afruex.
