The Spanish strawberry sector is robust, with production mainly destined for the domestic market, the EU and UK. Other berry production, especially blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, has become an alternative in recent years to strawberry production as a value-added crop for Spanish farmers. The berry sectors in both Spain and United States share numerous links, specifically with the use of U.S. berry varieties and technology in Spain.
The area dedicated to blackberries also experienced an increase of three percent from only 139 HA to 143 HA. In this case, new varieties are incorporated that allow production to be carried out throughout the entire year. In the raspberry sector, planted area decreased for a second year in a row by 7.5 percent to 1,841 HA, compared to the 1,992 HA of last year.
The raspberry is the red fruit most affected by competition from non-EU production, competing in European markets with fruit from third countries with lower productions costs, as Freshuelva has repeatedly stated to the Spanish and European administrations. This situation led many raspberry producers to bet on other berries, given the lack of profitability.
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Source: fas.usda.gov