AGRICOLA EL BOSQUE SLL

What AGRICOLA EL BOSQUE SLL does

Agrícola El Bosque S.L., operating commercially as La Canastita, is a Spanish family-owned blackberry producer headquartered in Huelva, Spain, with its primary 160-hectare farm — including approximately 70 hectares of cultivated blackberry — located in Finca El Bosque, Lucena del Puerto. The company was formally established in 2001 by Javier and Daniel Velo following a 1990s pivot from earlier-generation activities (tomato canning, wine, livestock, olives) to specialty cane-fruit cultivation, and is part of the broader Plus Berries group of berry-production companies. Its commercial offer centers on four proprietary blackberry varieties developed under the Berryum breeding program — Furia, Equa, Nemus, and Kalica — created through AI-assisted genomic selection, flow cytometry, and bioreactor-based clonal propagation, with the Kalica variety specifically designed as thornless to ease harvesting and extend the production calendar.

The company's production platform uses hydroponic cultivation under macro-tunnels, forced hibernation techniques enabling 365-day harvest, biological pest control (natural predators replacing conventional pesticides), precision drip irrigation with real-time soil-moisture and climate sensors, and rainwater harvesting. AI-assisted genomic selection sits inside the R&D pipeline (e.g., the GENTECMORA project) but is supportive to the breeding workflow rather than the product itself. Operations are vertically organized across cultivation, harvesting, packaging, quality, labeling, and labor functions, with a permanent team of 42 and a seasonal headcount reaching approximately 600 during campaign periods.

Commercially, La Canastita sells fresh blackberries primarily through a strategic retail partnership with Mercadona — described as its flagship distribution channel — alongside international export to multiple countries, including the United Kingdom. Pricing and revenue are not publicly disclosed; the company operates as a B2B supplier to retail chains and export markets. The business holds multiple international certifications (Global G.A.P., Global G.A.P. GRASP and Spring, BRCGS Food Safety, SMETA, Sedex, Nurture, LEAF Marque) and has been recognized regionally for sustainability (Junta de Andalucía Premio de Medio Ambiente, 2025) and innovation (Foro Alimental, 2023; Fresa de Oro to Diego Velo, 2025). Group-level revenue under Plus Berries is reported as approaching €70 million.

Name

AGRICOLA EL BOSQUE SLL

Legal name

AGRÍCOLA EL BOSQUE, S.L.

Website

https://lacanastita.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

La Canastita (Agrícola El Bosque S.L.) is a Spanish family-owned blackberry producer specializing in four proprietary Berryum varieties, supplying fresh fruit year-round to Mercadona and international export markets from its 70-hectare farm in Huelva.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Blackberry Production

NAICS

Berry (except Strawberry) Farming (111334), Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (1113)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Berry Farming (Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Cranberries) (AFAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Greenhouse Fruit & Berry Production (Strawberries, Specialty Fruits) (AFAGAHAB), Berry Sorting & Packing Facilities (AFAOAGAD)

Keywords

• Fresh blackberry production
• Proprietary berry varieties
• Year-round berry cultivation
• Sustainable agriculture
• Berry export distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Lucena Del Puerto

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Fresh Blackberry Production and Sales: Sale of fresh blackberries produced year-round through proprietary varieties. Products distributed via strategic retail partnerships (Mercadona) and international export markets. Revenue generated from fruit sales to B2B customers and retail chains.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Agricola El Bosque SLL cultivates fresh blackberries year-round on approximately 70 hectares of farmland integrated within a 160-hectare regenerative agroecosystem in Huelva, Spain, and distributes them internationally under the La Canastita brand. Its offering centers on four proprietary Berryum blackberry varieties developed through in-house genetic research, providing retailers with consistent quality, extended shelf life, and 365-day supply. Products are sold primarily through a strategic retail partnership with Mercadona in Spain and via international export markets to enterprise buyers.

Product overview

La Canastita is a specialist blackberry producer operating from Finca El Bosque in Doñana, Huelva, Spain. The company has developed its own blackberry varieties through the Berryum breeding project, enabling 365-day/year production. The product portfolio consists of four proprietary blackberry varieties—Berryum Furia, Berryum Equa, Berryum Nemus, and Berryum Kalica—each developed for specific market needs ranging from fresh consumption to distant market distribution. The company operates as part of the Plus Berries group and produces under sustainable agricultural practices integrated with Mediterranean forest ecosystems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Berryum: Proprietary blackberry varieties developed through the company's research program, including Berryum Furia, Berryum Equa, Berryum Nemus, and Berryum Kalica.

Products and services

• Berryum Furia Blackberries A proprietary blackberry variety with intense, slightly acidic and very aromatic flavor profile, featuring notes of wild berry and a crunchy, juicy texture. Adapted to temperate climates and ideal for fresh consumption. Sold as a fresh fruit product to retail chains (notably Mercadona) and international export distributors.
• Berryum Equa Blackberries A proprietary blackberry variety described as the most balanced in the portfolio, with soft sweetness, firm texture, and excellent shelf life. Designed for distant export markets with strong post-harvest and logistical handling characteristics. Sold as a fresh fruit product to retail chains and international export distributors.
• Berryum Nemus Blackberries A proprietary, highly productive and stable blackberry variety with fresh, pleasant flavor and a compact structure that facilitates transport. Ideal for large volumes and continuous distribution to retail chains. Sold as a fresh fruit product to retail chains (notably Mercadona) and international export distributors.
• Berryum Kalica Blackberries A proprietary, thornless and versatile blackberry variety valued for ease of harvesting and balanced organoleptic profile. Sweet, fruity, juicy with an easy bite, and ideal for extending the production calendar. Sold as a fresh fruit product to retail chains and international export distributors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Year-round blackberry production enabling 365-day supply to markets
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• MercadonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic retail partnership in blackberry cultivation. La Canastita is described as Mercadona's 'strategic partner' in blackberry production, enabling the company to link its productive capacity with Mercadona's distribution reach. This is a key partnership for year-round supply to Mercadona's retail network across Spain.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/agricola-el-bosque-sll

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AGRICOLA EL BOSQUE SLL