Spain's fruit growers confront climate volatility and market uncertainty

The 2025/2026 Spanish apple and pear campaign shows a mixed picture. Apple production fell 8.26% to 500,716 tonnes, while prices at origin remain relatively firm. The sector covers about 30,200 hectares, concentrated in Catalonia (Lérida and Girona) and Aragon, which together hold over 70% of the area. Pear cultivation spans roughly 20,500 hectares, with a shift toward the Ebro Valley and La Rioja, yielding 246,613 tonnes.

Climate volatility, persistent droughts and challenges during flowering and fruit set have eroded historic volumes, raising production costs despite higher market values. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food reports a gradual restructuring and parcel concentration in the sector.

In the pistachio market, Grupo IberoPistacho pledged to process the entire harvest, aiming to handle up to six million kilograms and to process nuts on the day of collection. Forecasts diverge: the Spanish Pistachio Industry Association expects a record 14,000 tonnes, while the Castilla‑La Mancha cooperative projects 8,054 tonnes, citing frost damage. Founder and director Juan Gallego emphasized that confidence comes from guaranteed reception, processing and timely payment, not from uncertain yield estimates.