The so-called strawberry dispute between Spain and Germany, ongoing for a week, reached a turning point at the end of April. An environmental magazine aimed at consumers, Ökotest, warned about potential environmental harm linked to the season’s early fruit. One notable report described irrigation practices as potentially damaging, highlighting the Doñana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its vulnerability in a drought-stricken southern Europe. Teresa Ribera, the Third Vice-President of the Government and Minister for Ecological Transition, spoke on irregular watering during successive visits to Brussels, Berlin, and other capitals, echoing concerns supported by the European Commission.
Life
On May 30, a platform called Camp launched a call for major supermarket chains Lidl, Rewe, Aldi, and Edeka to halt sales of dried strawberries. The movement claimed substantial influence, though it had about 150,000 subscribers at the time. The campaign unfolded shortly after local and regional elections in Spain and paralleled the broader political moment surrounding the July general elections announced by President Pedro Sánchez. Mutual accusations emerged swiftly between the central government and the Andalucía regional government, led by Juanma Moreno.
Supermarkets
Spanish strawberries began to disappear from German shelves as the season progressed. Each year, when German harvests arrive, imports from abroad tend to decline toward the end of May. In a year when the German harvest is delayed, quotas might be reserved to protect local supply. Rewe and other retailers cited this practice in response to questions from Spanish media in Germany. They also noted that red strawberries should not be imported without a certificate confirming efficient water management. Aldi Germany reaffirmed its stance, denying a boycott of Spanish fruit and reiterating its commitment to producers who use water responsibly.
Deputies
A nine-member delegation from the Bundestag, led by Green party parliamentarian Harald Ebner and spanning the spectrum of German politics, announced a visit to Doñana on the previous Friday, with concern over the strawberry dispute and water scarcity. The mission stressed Spain’s ongoing drought and reservoirs far below typical levels. The trip was planned before the national election call on June 23, and included members from the Social Democrats, Greens, and Liberals, as well as conservatives, a right-wing bloc, and the Left. The visit was framed as a concern for water scarcity and consumer protection rather than a campaign event.
Back off
The Bundestag delegation set out on a Sunday, but the Andalusian portion of the trip was curtailed the following Monday. A brief statement explained the cancellation due to the trip’s perceived political relevance ahead of Spain’s national elections. What could have been an official inspection ended up drawing broader media and political attention, with some reports framing the issue as a consumer boycott rather than a national dispute. Major outlets in Germany echoed the controversy, and some coverage suggested German strawberries might be exposed to pesticide concerns, while others noted that German retailers faced scrutiny over labeling and water usage. Campact, a civic movement, added tens of thousands of subscribers in the days after the campaign began, ending up with a large following but still far from its stated target amid a volatile political environment.