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3,305 Moroccan Women Lead Seasonal Workforce in Strawberry Fields in Spain
Last week, the province of Huelva in Spain welcomed its first group of 420 seasonal female workers from Morocco, marking the start of the 2026 strawberry and red fruit harvest season under the “GECCO” program designed to organize collective recruitment from the country of origin.
Spanish media reported that this batch is part of a plan aimed at meeting the agricultural sector’s demand for seasonal labor while ensuring the harvest process runs smoothly and efficiently.
Maria Jose Rico, the Deputy Representative of the Government in Huelva, stated that the total number of incoming seasonal workers for the current season has reached 21,496, an increase of approximately 4,500 workers compared to the previous season.
The official noted that the workers come from eight different nationalities, including Morocco, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mauritania, Paraguay, and Senegal, indicating that 17,241 of them have participated in previous seasons, while 4,255 workers are newcomers.
Moroccan laborers lead the nationalities participating this season, with a total of 3,305 workers, reflecting the esteemed position of Moroccan expertise in this sector, especially since many Moroccan women have been participating regularly for years due to their commitment and professional experience.
Meanwhile, the “Asaja-Huelva” Association announced that an additional 660 female workers are expected to join the region in the coming days. They confirmed that the program accompanies various stages of the process, from selection and contracting in the countries of origin to supporting workers upon arrival and throughout their stay, ensuring a successful harvest season. The team has been strengthened with a Spanish-Moroccan liaison to facilitate communication and ensure smooth procedures.
This season also includes workers from Mauritania (48), Paraguay (100), and Senegal (142) as part of a pilot project aimed at expanding international cooperation in organized seasonal employment.
The province of Huelva is one of the main centers for producing strawberries and red fruits in Europe, heavily relying on seasonal labor to sustain production and meet the growing demand in local and international markets.
