The 10th edition of the International Berry Congress came to a close on June 19 in Huelva, Spain, with a very positive balance. Over the two days of the event, more than 1,700 participants attended the twenty presentations, conferences, and technical panels scheduled, and visitors had the chance to visit more than 60 stands of suppliers and auxiliary companies in the sector.
The berry sector is strategically important for the province of Huelva, which is the epicenter of berry production in Europe and one of the top exporters worldwide. In fact, the region of Andalusia accounted for 26.1% of the total strawberries produced in Europe last season.
Andalusia's strawberry production puts Spain at the top of the list of EU-27 producers and in first place in the ranking of global exporters.
As outlined during the event, in 2024, almost 329,000 tons of berries worth more than 1,500 million euros were exported from Huelva, 138 million more than in 2023. And despite the difficulties faced, data from Datacomex reveals further increases in the first four months of the 2024/25 season.
Another piece of news awaited by the production and nursery sector, and which was announced by the Regional Councilor of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, is that the Regional Council of Agriculture, together with the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, has processed the exceptional authorization for the control of nematodes and soil fungi.
Lastly, in the closing conference, entitled "Sowing health: how berries could lead the food of tomorrow", publicist and senior dietetic technician Pablo Ojeda outlined the healthy properties of berries and their "extraordinary antioxidant values," which in addition to making Huelva a "naturally delicious" province, also help in "slowing down ageing."
Freshuelva is already looking forward to the 11th edition of the congress, which will be held in 2026, and which will be organized from the entity's new headquarters, which will become part of the Agroexperimental Business Center of the Huelva Provincial Council.
Visit our photo report of the 10th International Berry Congress of Huelva.