Over the past decade, the European berry sector has evolved from an emerging market into a mature yet continuously transforming industry. Strawberries remain dominant in terms of volume, while raspberries, though smaller in scale, play a strategically important role in value and differentiation.

Strawberries: a highly concentrated production model

European strawberry production slightly exceeds 1 million tonnes. Spain, Poland, Germany and Italy lead the market. In Spain, the Huelva region accounts for around 98% of national production and supplies a significant share of Europe’s winter–spring strawberries, supported by protected systems and export-oriented supply chains.

Raspberries: two models, two markets

European raspberry production (Greater Europe) exceeds 300,000 tonnes, led primarily by Serbia and Poland. Structurally, the sector is divided between:

• a fresh-market model (everbearing varieties grown under tunnels in Western and Southern Europe),
   
• and a processing model (open-field production in Central and Eastern Europe, largely destined for freezing and industrial use).
   

A structural shift toward protected systems

For both crops, the long-term trend is clear: less open-field production and more protected cultivation. Tunnels, greenhouses and soilless systems are expanding, driven by the need to stabilize yields, secure fruit quality and better manage climate variability and disease pressure.

A new map of European specialization

Western and Southwestern Europe are strengthening their position in premium fresh production under protection, closely connected to retail programs. Meanwhile, Central and Eastern Europe remain key players in the processing segment, though increasingly exposed to climate extremes and labor shortages.

What this means for competitiveness

With land expansion reaching its limits, future competitiveness will depend primarily on investment in protected systems, varietal innovation, improved environmental performance and stronger integration between fresh and processing markets.

MILBOR PMC, Soft Fruit Market Report 2026