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Ukrainian Grain & Oilseed Market

Ukrainian Grain&Oilseed Market

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Global Raspberry Market Under Pressure Amid Weather Extremes, Rising Costs, and Shifting Yields

14.09.2025 10:14 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — Late harvest overlaps, heatwaves, labour shortages, and changing crop cycles reshape production and pricing across Europe, North America, and Africa.

The Netherlands is experiencing high raspberry supply levels due to late arrivals from Spain and Morocco overlapping with the local harvest, driving down prices and increasing pressure on growers, particularly those selling on the spot market. In Germany, autumn raspberries are proving more profitable than summer crops, with reduced competition supporting higher prices.

In France, raspberry quality remains generally good despite pest challenges, with production volumes similar to last year. Spain has seen a 6.5% drop in production in Huelva due to excessive rainfall, while exports have remained stable in value.

Switzerland’s raspberry crop has been severely impacted by heatwave losses of up to 50%, with shortages pushing prices to their limit. In North America, strong summer volumes and new varieties are driving quality and steady supply growth.

South Africa’s small industry is focused on exports, with peak harvests in March and April, while the frozen food market offers an alternative outlet. Morocco’s raspberry acreage is stable, but higher yields boosted production by 14% last season, with the European market remaining the main destination.

Netherlands: Raspberry market under pressure

Raspberry growers in the Netherlands are facing high supply levels, which are putting significant pressure on their revenues. Due to weather conditions, raspberries from Spain and Morocco arrived late to the market this year, overlapping with the Dutch harvest. In addition to low producer prices, Dutch growers are also contending with sharply increased labour costs. Not all raspberry growers are equally affected by the current market conditions. Some secure contracts to protect against price volatility, while others produce for the spot market. The latter group, in particular, is experiencing a difficult economic period.

Germany: Autumn raspberries more profitable

At the start of the summer holidays, a large supply caused prices to fall slightly. Although the supply of southern German soft fruit declined sharply over the past two weeks, raspberries have remained available in good volumes since week 24. This partly led to slightly higher prices. Overall, this year’s harvest was relatively good, and retail programs ran satisfactorily. From a cultivation perspective, autumn raspberries are significantly more profitable than summer crops, mainly due to reduced competition and better prices. Limited German raspberries in 200 g punnets are fetching ˆ2.95 to ˆ3.60, while those in 250 g punnets are selling for ˆ3 to ˆ3.50.

France: Quality holds despite pest challenges

The raspberry season in France began in early May, peaked in summer, and will continue until the end of August. Volumes are then expected to decline until week 48 in the latest-ripening areas, marking the end of the French raspberry season. With hot weather continuing this week, quality is being tested in some production areas, as was the case in early July. Producers are adapting to maintain quality, and apart from a few days of reduced quality in certain areas, overall quality remains satisfactory. Concerns are more focused on the lack of solutions for certain pests such as Eriophyes, Drosophila suzukii, and aphids.

In terms of volume, production is equivalent to or slightly higher than last year, with a gradual increase in recent years. Acreage is also growing slowly in a market where French production meets only 15% of domestic demand.

Spain: Lower production and stable exports

Although raspberries are grown in Spain year-round, production is limited in July and August. In Huelva, the largest raspberry-growing area in the country, production declined by 6.5% compared to last year, reaching approximately 37,660 tons. This decrease was due to adverse weather and production challenges caused by excessive rainfall. Raspberry exports remained almost stable, with a slight 0.5% decrease in volume and a total value of ˆ229.6 million. This year, supply was more concentrated in the autumn months, and particularly in May. Despite this, the market responded well in terms of demand, according to a grower and exporter.

Switzerland: Heatwave causes severe crop losses

Due to the heatwave, raspberry harvest losses across Switzerland have reached catastrophic levels of up to 40–50 percent. Imported supplies are also available only in small quantities, resulting in clear shortages. According to a supplier to the food retail trade, the situation will not improve, but only worsen, as long as there is no rain in sight.

Prices have returned to their initial level and are now reaching the pain threshold, leaving no room for further increases in practice.

North America: New varieties drive quality and supply growth

Summer raspberry volumes are strong and building toward the fall peak. Supply from Watsonville, California, remains steady, while volumes from Mexico are increasing as production gains momentum into the fall and winter period.

New and improved raspberry varieties are delivering excellent quality with sweet flavour. Some growers have expanded summer raspberry production with varieties such as Noelia and Majestic in California, and Amalia in Mexico. Older varieties are also being removed to make way for newer ones with strong consumer appeal.

The ramp-up is taking place during cooler-than-average temperatures along the California coast, resulting in a more gradual increase in the production curve. While this benefits product quality, the lower temperatures have slowed the pace of supply growth.

Demand is strong for high-quality fruit, with pricing similar to previous years. Looking ahead, excellent quality and ample supply are expected in the coming weeks. Watsonville will harvest peak volumes for the next several weeks before declining in mid-October, while Mexico is ramping up and will reach peak production by the end of October.

South Africa: Limited production with strong export focus

South Africa’s small raspberry industry consists of only a handful of growers. In the north of the country, raspberry plantings are in a winter dormant phase and will only be harvested from November. In the Southern Cape, a small amount is currently being harvested to supply certain retailers and fresh-cut facilities with raspberries year-round. Their peak harvest takes place in March and April.

South African-grown raspberries are packed into northern counterseasonal programmes for Europe, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. Locally, the frozen food industry is growing, providing an alternative market for raspberries.

The local industry is not expanding. Figures for 2022/23 show a production of 2,456 tons, of which 1,228 tons were exported. A 160 g punnet of fresh raspberries currently retails for almost ˆ2.80.

Morocco: Stable acreage, higher yields

The acreage of raspberries in Morocco has remained stable over the last two seasons at between 4,600 and 4,800 hectares, with no change expected for the upcoming season. This level reflects the ceiling of current international demand for Moroccan raspberries. Despite stagnant acreage, producers increased production by 14% last season due to higher yields, rising from 56,280 tons in 2023/2024 to 64,000 tons in 2024/2025, according to industry sources.

Moroccan raspberries are widely present in several markets, particularly in the MENA region, where they account for 90% of imports. However, the European market remains the main destination for exporters. In 2024/2025, the UK led with 19,979 tons, followed by Spain with 18,378 tons, Germany with 16,860 tons, the Netherlands with 8,954 tons, and France with 6,989 tons. Morocco also exported to other countries, including Italy, Portugal, Tunisia, Jordan, and Gulf states, each receiving less than 1,000 tons.

The next season begins in two weeks. Growers are concerned about adverse weather conditions, marked by intense heat waves, but expect volumes to be similar to last season. Another ongoing challenge is the labor shortage.

According to the same source, there has been an increase in «one-shot» exports, shipments that take advantage of temporary shortages in certain markets, typically involving small quantities sold at high prices. While these exports can act as commercial trials and open opportunities in new markets, they may also create issues related to regulatory compliance, such as varietal licenses.

Source Freshplaza

Agro Perspectiva

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