Berry fruits production triples in Portugal over 10 years

In ten years, national production of fruits such as raspberries and blackberries has more than tripled, going from 27,600 tons in 2015 to 91,400 tons in 2025, confirming Portugal as a benchmark producer of high value-added small fruit crops.

Raspberry cultivation lead the way, generating 28,644 jobs during this period, according to an analysis by the consulting firm EY released this week.

“In ten years, national production has more than tripled, going from 27,600 tons in 2015 to 91,400 tons in 2025, confirming Portugal as a benchmark producer of high value-added crops,” reads the study “Impact Plan for the Production and Marketing of Small Fruits” for Lusomorango and Discroll’s.

During this period, raspberries remained the crop with the highest volume, reaching 37,700 tons in 2025.

However, the analysis highlights the “dynamic growth” of blueberries, whose volume increased from 4,400 to 25,200 tons.

In turn, strawberry production increased from approximately 9,700 to 19,400 tons, while the estimated weight of blackberries in 2025 was 14.5 times that recorded 10 years earlier.

In terms of value, production reached €580 million, an increase of 72.6% compared to 2020.

For the current year, production is expected to reach €645 million, driven by the expansion of raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry production.

Between 2020 and 2025, the small fruit sector had, on average, an impact of €815 million on Gross Value Added (GVA).

Last year alone, the impact was €1,037 million, and projections for 2026 point to €1,407 million.

In terms of employment, the average annual impact was 28,644 jobs. In 2025, the number was 34,369, and for this year it is expected to be 36,702.

Regarding worker remuneration, the impact during the period under analysis was €480 million.

In 2025, tax revenue associated with the sector’s impact amounted to €276 million. For 2026, tax revenue is estimated at €298 million.

This study used data from EY-Parthenon, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), UN Comtrade, the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the Agricultural Markets Information System, Lusomorango, the Planning, Policy and General Administration Office (GPP), among others.

Source: EY; Credits: Chris Graeme