News about Spain

Jerte Valley: cherry harvest gets underway – high quality and exports on the horizon

Production

27 Apr 2026

The Jerte Valley cherry harvest starts with 18,000–20,000 tons expected, high quality and European exports from May. Awaiting China market opening in a season marked by promotion, automation and unstable logistics costs affecting growers and supply chains.

The Corette® rootstock series opens up new opportunities for cherry cultivation in Spain

Rootstocks

23 Apr 2026

Corette® rootstocks by Agromillora show strong adaptability to Mediterranean soils in Spain. Trials highlight good yields, early production and suitability for intensive orchards, improving efficiency, fruit quality and long-term sustainability.

Chile and Spain: the cherry battle in China

Markets

22 Apr 2026

Chile strengthens its dominance in cherry exports to China, but the 2025–2026 season shows a price drop of over 30%. Spain’s entry into the Asian market introduces new competition, as demand remains strong but the product’s positioning continues to evolve.

The outlook is excellent for Valencian cherries: after four years of decline, the target is 1,500 tonnes

Specialties

21 Apr 2026

Cherry production in Castellón is set to recover after years of lows, with the sector expecting between 1,000 and 2,000 tonnes thanks to favorable flowering and fruit set. The coming weeks will be crucial, while olive groves continue to expand across farmland.

Genomics and cherries: the race is on in Jerte to develop new varieties better suited to the market

Breeding

16 Apr 2026

Genomics is accelerating cherry breeding in Spain’s Jerte Valley: Cicytex and local cooperatives launch a 2026-2030 project to identify new varieties faster, analysing 1,000 trees and 110 cultivars in one of Europe’s leading modern cherry-growing regions.

With a price of €80 per kilo, selling the first cherries remains a challenge

Markets

10 Apr 2026

The first Spanish greenhouse cherries reach the European market with very limited volumes and prices up to €80/kg. Strong demand from the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the UK, while the open-field season may start later than usual, impacting exports.

Mercadona’s cherries: the Spanish company is investing heavily in domestic produce

Markets

02 Apr 2026

Mercadona strengthens its 2026 cherry campaign with over 6,000 tonnes of Spanish fruit, doubling volumes. A strategy focused on short supply chains, national growers and price stability, supporting key cherry-producing regions across Spain during the season market growth.

Jerte Valley in bloom: PDO Cereza del Jerte looks ahead to a strong season

Production

24 Mar 2026

Jerte Valley turns white with blossom as PDO Cereza del Jerte begins the season on a positive note: expectations are for 10 million kilos of certified cherries and between 2 and 3 million kilos of picota, pointing to an encouraging start for the campaign.

Spanish researchers have identified a genotype of evergreen cherry

Breeding

20 Mar 2026

A study in Spain examines an evergrowing sweet cherry genotype unable to enter dormancy. The research highlights altered expression of DAM genes and offers new insights for genetic improvement and adaptation to climate change in temperate fruit crops.

Jerte PDO cherries: new varieties expand market and supply calendar

Specialties

18 Mar 2026

Jerte Valley PDO expands its cherry season with new certified varieties. Between favorable winter chill, growing European demand and insurance challenges, the sector focuses on quality, brand recognition and access to new international markets global competitive.