Harvest update: Spring weather continues to shape European fruit crops

As the 2026 harvest season gets underway, weather conditions across Europe are already creating challenges for growers. In this latest update from our partner growers and agronomy teams, we look at how unusually wet weather in Spain and late frost in Poland are impacting early crop development, harvest timing and current expectations for the season ahead.

Poland: Cooler weather slows early crop progress

In Poland, fruiting crops are currently recovering following freezing temperatures recorded at the end of April. While the full impact is still developing, crop progress is generally estimated to be around 10 days behind a typical season.

Conditions before the frost had shown encouraging potential in several categories, particularly blackcurrant and red currant, while strawberry and raspberry crops were already showing signs of delayed development following winter cold stress. Blackcurrant crops continue to look positive overall, with no shortages expected.

Strawberry harvests from tunnel production are expected to finish within the coming weeks, while harvesting from covered fields is now underway. Since the frost, sour cherry and strawberry crops have been among the most impacted categories so far this season.

Spain: Delayed season following prolonged rain and storms

In Spain, an unusually wet and stormy start to the year delayed the beginning of the season until March. Fresh market volumes have been lower than expected, while volumes for industry, which initially started positively, have also tightened in recent weeks due to continued unstable weather conditions. Despite the delayed season and ongoing weather volatility, fruit quality in Spain remains positive, with good colour and brix levels reported.

Looking ahead

While weather conditions continue to influence crop development across Europe, the season is still progressing and there are encouraging signs across several key categories.

In Poland, crop development in the coming weeks will depend heavily on expected rainfall and improving weather conditions, while positive quality indicators from Spain are helping to support a more optimistic outlook as the harvest season heads to the end.

As always, our teams remain in close contact with growers across all sourcing regions, monitoring developments carefully to help ensure consistent quality and supply for our customers throughout the season.

If you’d like to stay up to date with our latest harvest developments as the 2026 season progresses, and learn more about our approach to agronomy, get in touch today.