Competition heats up in the European strawberry market

The Italian berry harvest is expected to approach 1 million tons by 2025, with experts estimating that 450–500 thousand tons could be exported. This quantity represents the largest share of the European supply, ensuring that Italy remains in a leading position on the continent. The shipments primarily go to Germany, France, Poland, and Spain, but the Italian sector is increasingly focusing on the Middle East and North America as well. The export structure thus builds on both traditional EU markets and more distant, high-priced buyers. Spain, the world's second-largest producer, is present in the market with an export potential of around 300 thousand tons. Its main destination countries include Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, and France, while the Iberian country is also shipping larger quantities outside the European Union, such as to the United States, Norway, or Canada. The season in the Murcia region began at the end of June, but due to hot weather, the harvest in several ...