Exhibiting at Asia Fruit Logistica 2025

Agrupación de Cooperativas Valle del Jerte, S. Coop. is a second-tier agricultural cooperative based in Valdastillas, Cáceres, Spain. Comprising 16 first-tier cooperatives and more than 3,500 farming families, it represents one of the most important agri-food organizations in Spain’s Extremadura region. The cooperative is a leader in the cultivation, processing, and international marketing of cherries, berries, figs, and other high-value produce from the Jerte Valley.

Core Business

Founded in 1980, Agrupación de Cooperativas Valle del Jerte operates as a vertically integrated cooperative that manages the entire supply chain—from production in high-altitude orchards to post-harvest processing and global distribution. The organization provides technical support, logistics, certification assistance, and commercial representation to its member cooperatives, collectively optimizing profitability and quality for all stakeholders.

Product and Service Offerings

The cooperative's annual production portfolio includes:

• Cherries and Picotas:

  • Over 17,000 metric tons of cherries and autochthonous "picotas" (stemless cherries) harvested annually.
  • Varieties include: Ambrunés, Pico Limón Negro, Pico Negro, Pico Colorado.

• Berries:

  • 400 metric tons per year, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries.

• Dry Figs:

  • 1,500 metric tons of sun-dried figs processed and packaged annually.

• Plums:

  • Approximately 300 metric tons per year of fresh plums.

• Chestnuts:

  • About 2,500 metric tons harvested annually.

• Gourmet Products:

  • Liquors and schnapps derived from cherry distillation.
  • Fruit spreads, olive oils, and 'Picotinas', a signature local cherry-based snack.

These products are exported across Europe, North America, and Asia, serving both wholesale and retail channels.

Specialization and Core USP

Agrupación de Cooperativas Valle del Jerte’s strength lies in:

• Altitude Farming: Orchards located between 500 and 1,200 meters above sea level allow for staggered harvesting and extended market availability.
• Picota Specialization: Exclusive PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) for Picota cherries from the Jerte Valley.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Emphasis on Integrated Production and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) with traceability from field to market.
• Producer-Owned Model: Revenue remains within the local economy, empowering thousands of rural families.

The cooperative's strong vertical integration ensures tight quality control and consistency, making it a preferred supplier for large European retailers.

Financial and Shipment Data

While private and not publicly traded, the cooperative reports:

• Annual turnover exceeding €40 million.
• Export share: More than 65% of total production is exported.
• Main Export Destinations: Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, and the Middle East.
• Seasonality Advantage: The geographic diversity of cherry plantations allows for a harvest window of over 60 days, enabling extended market coverage from May to July.

Capabilities

• Two Packing Facilities with automated cherry and fig sorting, grading, and cold storage infrastructure.
• R&D Center focused on varietal innovation, shelf-life extension, and waste minimization.
• Certified Cold Chain Logistics to maintain post-harvest freshness for long-distance transport.
• Retail-Ready Packaging Lines tailored for supermarket chains across Europe.

Certifications and Compliance

The cooperative and its producers adhere to the highest European and international standards, including:

• GlobalG.A.P.
• BRCGS Food Safety
• IFS Food (International Featured Standards)
• ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
• GRASP (Risk Assessment for Social Practices)

Additionally, the Picota cherries carry a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO Jerte Valley), ensuring authenticity and regional heritage.

Target Market

The cooperative targets:

• Supermarket Chains and Wholesalers across the EU and UK.
• Organic and Gourmet Distributors looking for PDO-certified and value-added fruit products.
• Retail Brands and Private Label Buyers in the premium fresh produce segment.
• Specialty Food Importers seeking unique European-origin snacks and liquors.

Major Achievements

• Recognized as the largest cherry exporter in Spain, contributing a substantial share of national production.
• Played a key role in the development of the PDO Picota Jerte Valley, enhancing the market identity of regional cherries.
• Integrated traceability and sustainability systems across all cooperatives by 2020.
• Increased exports by 27% in 2023 driven by high-quality harvests and expanded client base in Asia.
• Featured regularly in international trade fairs including Fruit Logistica (Berlin) and Fruit Attraction (Madrid).

Agrupación de Cooperativas Valle del Jerte continues to stand as a model of cooperative success, combining tradition, innovation, and community-driven agriculture to deliver premium fruits and specialty products to the global marketplace.