It’s not just Hungary that is having trouble with raspberries

European Difficulties

In Switzerland, heatwaves may wipe out 40–50 percent of the crop, pushing prices to the limit of consumer tolerance. In Spain’s Huelva province, production dropped by 6.5 percent due to heavy rainfall and extreme weather. France saw its season run from early May to late August, but hot spells and pests (such as gall mites, spotted wing drosophila, and aphids) hurt quality in several areas. In Germany, early summer brought abundant supply and falling prices, while August shortages pushed prices back up slightly.

Collapse in Hungary

In Hungary, raspberry cultivation has practically collapsed. Beyond climate change, economic pressures and cheap imports have driven domestic growers out of the market, leaving consumers with mostly expensive imported fruit. Researchers are now experimenting with agroforestry methods to revive Hungarian raspberry production.

More Stable in North America

In California’s Watsonville region, supply remains stable, with peak volumes expected in September and early October. Cooler coastal weather has slowed yield growth but improved fruit quality. Imports from Mexico are increasing and expected to peak by the end of October. In Morocco, raspberry acreage has held steady in recent years, but better yields allowed growers to increase production by 14 percent last season.

Global Balance

Despite regional challenges, global raspberry output is broadly stable, with generally satisfactory quality. Autumn raspberries remain more profitable than summer crops due to lower competition and better prices. Looking ahead, growers worldwide face the challenge of adapting to climate volatility and labor shortages while meeting consistently high consumer demand.