Spain: The Antequera Valley closes a good year in potato, asparagus and onion harvests

The forecasts have been accurate, and the traditional crops of the Antequera Valley have thrived this year thanks to the spring rains. Although prices have varied, the asparagus, onion, and potato harvests have concluded with optimal production levels and exceptional quality, according to Juan Antonio Romero, manager of the Horticultores El Torcal agri-food cooperative.

Late potatoes are harvested at the end of December and marketed at the beginning of the year. In 2025, the volume obtained remained at normal levels, with good quality and prices that covered production costs.

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This year’s asparagus harvest has been larger than in the previous two years thanks to the autumn, which provided ample reserves for the crops. Prices have been "quite acceptable," covering and even exceeding production costs. As for quality, it has been "very good," with a high percentage of large spears, one of the most valued indicators in asparagus marketing. "Even so, there have been periods of lower production. The spring rains affected the harvest, but we’re not going to complain because they were much needed and were very beneficial for other crops that were using water resources," Romero points out.

The early onion harvest marked the start of the summer season, with production levels within the normal range, prices above production costs, and good quality, setting it apart from other growing regions. "The rain came at the right time, and we were able to control all the diseases and fungi."

Early potatoes, on the other hand, have fallen into the "minimum acceptable" category. The price drop, caused by the large influx of potatoes from third countries, such as Egypt, has meant that in those plots with lower production and yields, income has barely covered expenses. This is compounded by the high production in France and southern Spain. "It hasn’t been a bad year, but it has been mediocre in terms of prices, which haven’t reflected the good quality of the harvest."

In the late-season onion crop, the campaign has been notable for higher production, good prices, and improved quality. "With onions, we were coming off a year of very low prices, and with potatoes, the opposite has happened."

The last potato season is still ahead, although the outlook isn’t very promising. "It’s a different kind of potato: it’s not for storage, it’s new, fresh, and prices here are always different."

Despite the positive results, the agricultural sector maintains its primary need: water. “We are asking for continued rain in 2026. Water resource levels are very low and need to recover to guarantee irrigation and maintain reserves during the summer,” he warns.