Huelva, 17 June 2026.
More than 1,700 professionals gather in Huelva to discuss the future challenges and opportunities of the global berry sector
Luis Galindo encourages the sector to continue growing through enthusiasm and collaboration: “Resignation is worse than a pest.”
Huelva, June 17, 2026. More than 1,700 professionals are taking part today in the 11th International Berry Congress, which has once again turned Huelva into the world capital of berries. Producers, marketers, researchers, service companies and institutions are gathering for two days at Casa Colón to address the key challenges and future opportunities facing a sector that is a European leader and an international benchmark for its productive capacity, innovation and export strength.
The opening day began with a keynote address by writer and leadership expert Luis Galindo, entitled “Continuing to Build an Inspiring Future Together.” In a speech filled with optimism, inspiration and recognition of the work carried out by the sector, Galindo highlighted that berries represent “an example of business management, innovation and the ability to achieve incredible things,” describing it as a pioneering sector in Spain.
The speaker emphasized the role of the “unsung heroes” who have made the growth of this industry possible, noting that the berry sector is an example of integrity, hard work and resilience for the entire Spanish business community. He also recalled the economic importance of the sector for the province of Huelva, stressing that it generates around 11% of its wealth.
During his speech, Galindo defended the importance of “intelligent optimism,” understood as the ability to appreciate achievements while facing each day with the determination to give one’s best. “Character can be trained,” he said, encouraging attendees to reject resignation and embrace values such as enthusiasm, generosity, collaboration and commitment. “When we collaborate and help one another, we bring out the best in human beings,” he stated, highlighting the need to continue building the future of the sector together through passion, courage and confidence in our own abilities.
Institutional Opening Ceremony
The official opening ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Huelva, Pilar Miranda; the President of the Provincial Council of Huelva, David Toscano; the Spanish Secretary of State for Agriculture and Food, Begoña García Bernal; the Acting Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Consolación Vera; the Director of the Fundación Caja Rural del Sur, Emilio Ponce; and the President of Freshuelva, Francisco José Gómez.
The Congress, organized by the Association of Strawberry Producers and Exporters of the Province of Huelva (Freshuelva), is sponsored by Fundación Caja Rural del Sur and supported institutionally by the Huelva City Council and the Provincial Council of Huelva. The event is also sponsored by Gusto del Sur, the quality brand of the Regional Government of Andalusia, and co-financed by the Andalusia ERDF Programme 2021–2027.
Mayor Pilar Miranda congratulated the organizers “for once again making possible this space for meeting, reflection and shared knowledge, where today’s challenges are analyzed and the solutions that will shape the future are built.”
She noted that berries position Huelva as the European leader in berry production and exports, emphasizing that “the city of Huelva plays a fundamental role in that leadership as the capital and driving force of the province, serving as the gateway to many of the services, infrastructures, institutions and opportunities that allow dynamic sectors such as agri-food to continue growing, generating wealth and projecting Huelva’s image around the world.”
For his part, David Toscano reaffirmed the Provincial Council’s commitment to a strategic sector for the economy of Huelva, stressing that berries represent “much more than an economic activity” and are “one of the great hallmarks of our province and one of Huelva’s best calling cards in international markets.”
Toscano also underlined that every time a box of berries leaves Huelva for an international market, “much more than a product is being exported; it carries a way of working, a way of understanding agriculture and a way of facing challenges based on effort, quality and commitment.”
Secretary of State Begoña García Bernal highlighted that Huelva’s berries are synonymous with quality, innovation and trust for European consumers. According to her, the sector “has been able to anticipate changes ahead of other productive sectors and has succeeded in making products such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries part of the daily diet of millions of people.”
She also reaffirmed the Spanish Government’s support for the sector and recalled the efforts made in irrigation modernization and assistance to farmers affected by exceptional circumstances.
Acting Deputy Minister Consolación Vera emphasized the importance of unity as a tool for strengthening the sector’s position in international markets. Vera highlighted the resilience shown by producers in Huelva after enduring a prolonged drought followed by severe storms, underscoring the strength of an industry that continues to be a benchmark in sustainability.
She also noted that more than 70% of Huelva’s strawberry, blueberry and raspberry production is carried out under integrated production systems and defended the need to continue working towards a fair Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for Andalusia, one that recognizes the importance and unique characteristics of Andalusian agriculture and guarantees appropriate conditions for maintaining the sector’s competitiveness.
Emilio Ponce, Director of Fundación Caja Rural del Sur, highlighted the Congress’s consolidation as a meeting point for a strategic sector for Huelva, Andalusia and Spain. Ponce described berries as an example of innovation, sustainability and resilience, stressing the need to strengthen cooperation throughout the value chain. “Competition is good, but cooperation is even better,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of moving forward together to address future challenges.
During his speech, Freshuelva President Francisco José Gómez highlighted that the Congress has reached its eleventh edition fully established as a benchmark event in Spain and Europe, stating that “Huelva is once again the international center of the berry industry.”
He also reaffirmed the importance of berries as one of the province’s defining features, reminding attendees that “every box of berries shipped around the world also carries the name of Huelva,” while praising the ability of farmers and companies to overcome a particularly challenging season.
Gómez also called for unity in facing the challenges ahead, arguing that “when one company improves, the entire sector improves; when Huelva gains prestige, we all win,” and insisting that “if we work together, we are much stronger.”
Presentation of the Golden Strawberry Award
One of the most emotional moments of the opening day was the presentation of the Golden Strawberry Award, Freshuelva’s highest distinction. The association grants this award only in exceptional cases to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the development, promotion and prestige of the berry sector.
Freshuelva’s Board of Directors unanimously agreed to award the 2026 Golden Strawberry to José Antonio Martín, founder of Agromartín and one of the most influential historical figures in Huelva’s berry industry. The association wished to recognize a business career closely linked to the growth and modernization of the sector, as well as his contribution to the international positioning of Huelva’s berries.
Upon receiving the award, José Antonio Martín shared the recognition with all the workers who have contributed to the development of Huelva’s strawberry industry and the province’s economic growth. He also highlighted the strong social character of the berry sector, particularly emphasizing ethical recruitment at origin as a tool that creates opportunities and improves the living conditions of thousands of families.
Knowledge, Innovation and Business Opportunities
Following the institutional opening, the Congress continued with its programme of technical presentations, professional meetings and activities, further consolidating its role as a forum for knowledge exchange and analysis of the key trends affecting the berry sector.
At the same time, the extensive exhibition area at Casa Colón once again became a meeting point for companies, professionals and institutions, fostering business opportunities, the presentation of innovations and the strengthening of commercial relationships within the berry industry.
The Congress will continue tomorrow, Thursday, with a second day focused on international markets, health, social responsibility and the future of the sector. Highlights include a presentation by Mario Steta, Chairman of the International Blueberry Organization (IBO), on the role of blueberries in the sector’s global growth; the presentation of a clinical study promoted by Freshuelva and the University of Huelva on the benefits of strawberries for women’s health; round-table discussions on the social impact of the industry; and the closing keynote by international branding expert Andy Stalman, along with the participation of the Acting Regional Minister of Agriculture of Andalusia, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco.