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 19.11.2025

Doñana: when strawberries cost more than their price tag

Berries – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries – are synonymous with health, freshness and enjoyment. But behind this popular tart and sweet fruit lies a very bitter environmental reality: the ecological crisis in Doñana National Park, one of the most valuable natural spaces in Europe.

Doñana, a biosphere reserve since 1980 and a refuge for thousands of species, is in danger due to the overexploitation of water for the intensive cultivation of berries. According to WWF, more than 1,300 hectares of crops are irrigated illegally, depleting aquifers and putting the park’s biodiversity at risk. (Species and habitats: Doñana – Our work | WWF España [Spanish only])

Seventy per cent of Spanish strawberries are produced in the Huelva area, very close to Doñana. This agricultural model, based on illegal wells and intensive irrigation, has caused an alarming drop in water tables and the disappearance of lakes essential for fauna. In addition, pollution from fertilisers and pesticides seriously affects water quality.

But there are alternatives. Projects like Flor de Doñana Biorganic – Ecological and Regenerative Production show us that it is possible to produce berries ecologically, using water responsibly and respecting the environment.

How we decide to consume can influence sustainable practices. Asking ourselves where what we eat comes from and what impact it has is a step towards more conscious eating. Preserving Doñana involves rethinking the agricultural model and promoting a more balanced management of natural resources. Sometimes, the affordable price of a basket of strawberries can hide a much higher environmental cost than we imagine.

Author: J. Martinez. PCB team