Fresón de Palos, legally operating as Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza Santa María de la Rábida, is the largest strawberry producer cooperative in Europe and a global leader in the cultivation, packaging, and export of berries. Located in Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Spain, the company represents over 150 cooperative farming families and operates under a model that combines sustainability, scale, and technological innovation to deliver premium berries to over 40 countries worldwide.
Core Business
Fresón de Palos is a vertically integrated agricultural cooperative focused on the production, processing, and export of strawberries and other berries. The cooperative model enables small and medium-sized farms to scale through shared infrastructure, standardized quality protocols, and consolidated logistics. The company plays a critical role in Spain's berry export economy, especially from the Huelva region, which accounts for over 95% of Spanish strawberry production.
Key operations include:
- Sustainable cultivation and propagation of berry varieties
- In-house packaging and post-harvest management
- Export coordination and cold chain logistics
- R&D in varietal improvement and agricultural technology
Product and Service Offerings
Fresón de Palos offers a comprehensive portfolio of premium berries:
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Strawberries:
- Main product, cultivated from December to June
- Multiple varieties optimized for flavor, size, and shelf life
- Available in clamshells, trays, and retail-ready packs
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Blueberries:
- Spring and summer varieties targeted at European retail programs
-
Raspberries:
- Grown under protected cultivation for optimal quality and lower pesticide use
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Blackberries:
- Exported during late spring and early summer; smaller volume, high-grade fruit
Packaging is adapted to customer needs, with formats ranging from bulk foodservice trays to eco-packaging for premium retailers.
Specialization and Core USP
Fresón de Palos distinguishes itself through:
- Largest Strawberry Cooperative in Europe: Over 1,200 hectares dedicated to strawberry cultivation
- Integrated Supply Chain: End-to-end control from seedling to international dispatch
- Sustainability Leadership: Water-saving technologies, plastic reduction initiatives, and certified environmental practices
- R&D Investment: Continuous development of proprietary varieties and cultivation techniques
- Brand Recognition: Fresón de Palos is one of the most recognized berry brands in Spain and parts of Western Europe
Their operations guarantee fruit freshness within 24 hours of harvest, ensuring market readiness and reduced post-harvest loss.
Financial Overview
As of recent public disclosures and industry data:
- Annual production exceeds 70,000 metric tons of strawberries
- Cooperative includes over 150 grower-members
- Total turnover is estimated at over €150 million annually
- Exports account for more than 80% of total sales
- Recognized by ICEX and FEPEX as one of the top fresh produce exporters in Spain
These metrics place Fresón de Palos among the top five fresh berry exporters in Europe by volume and revenue.
International Shipments
Fresón de Palos exports to more than 40 countries, including:
- Europe: Germany, France, UK, Netherlands, Italy, Scandinavia
- Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
- Asia: Hong Kong, Singapore
- North America: Emerging market development in Canada and Mexico
Highlights:
- Ships over 6,000 containers annually
- Uses reefer trucks and cold-chain containerized shipping
- Daily dispatches from Huelva to European retailers during peak season (Jan–May)
- Exports supported by BRC-certified packhouses and traceability systems
Target Market
Fresón de Palos supplies to:
- Major supermarket chains (e.g., Carrefour, Lidl, Tesco, Edeka, Mercadona)
- Wholesale distributors and fresh food importers
- E-commerce platforms and high-end fruit retailers
- Foodservice and hospitality sector
The company’s products are featured prominently in European retail promotions, particularly during Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Mother’s Day when berry consumption peaks.
Capabilities
- Packing Facilities: Fully automated lines with optical sorting, clamshell sealing, and MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging)
- Cold Storage & Pre-Cooling Units: High-capacity cold rooms ensure rapid cooling post-harvest
- Agronomic Support Teams: Technical advisors assist growers on pest management, irrigation, and yield optimization
- Sustainability Systems: Precision irrigation, biodegradable mulch, and energy-saving logistics
- Certifications Management: Dedicated compliance team ensures year-round audit-readiness
Certifications and Compliance
Fresón de Palos is committed to rigorous safety and environmental standards:
- GlobalG.A.P.
- BRCGS (British Retail Consortium)
- IFS Food
- GRASP (GlobalG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practices)
- Spring certification (sustainable water usage)
- ISO 14001 environmental management
These accreditations support seamless market entry into high-regulation territories like the UK, Germany, and the Nordics.
Customer Testimonials
Although formal testimonials are not published on the website, Fresón de Palos is frequently cited in trade media and cooperative reports for:
- “Unmatched berry freshness and reliability for northern European markets”
- “High sustainability standards and transparent farm practices”
- “A trusted supplier for long-term private label retail programs”
Their consistent seasonal execution makes them a preferred supplier to top-tier European grocery retailers.
Major Achievements
- Pioneered large-scale strawberry export from Spain starting in the 1980s
- Introduced sustainable packaging and water-saving irrigation technology across all farms
- Produced over 1 billion strawberries annually
- Awarded the ‘Premio Alas a la Internacionalización’ by the Andalusian Government for export excellence
- Led the Spanish berry sector in digitized traceability implementation
- Participated in EU-funded agri-food innovation programs such as Horizon 2020 and Life+