Spanish stone fruit producers face retail price pressure

The stone fruit season in the Spanish regions of Lleida and Aragon is nearing its conclusion. While harvest volumes are generally consistent with last year, they remain lower than initial forecasts due to spring frosts and summer heatwaves that also impacted fruit size.

Jordi Mir, fruit director at the Actel Grup cooperative, noted that unusually high temperatures accelerated the season, requiring rapid marketing of the produce. Although supply and demand remained balanced without significant surpluses, prices have been notably lower than the previous season.

Mir highlighted significant downward pressure on prices from large retailers, which has occasionally threatened the profitability of growers. This economic strain is compounded by a fragmented supply sector facing increasingly large, multi-regional purchasing structures. Additionally, competition from Mediterranean producers like Turkey and Greece, which experienced full harvests without adverse weather, is further driving down market prices.