The Axarquia region on the Costa del Sol, where Nerja is located, is one of the most unique fruit-growing regions in Spain. Thanks to its subtropical climate, with mild winters and warm summers, a variety of exotic fruits such as avocado, mango, chirimoya, níspero, and many more can be cultivated. Axarquia offers a diverse harvest season that lasts almost all year round.
Image of the Axarquia region
Avocado in Nerja
Axarquia is one of Europe's leading producers of avocado, cultivating several different varieties, each with its unique flavor and characteristics.
Which avocado varieties are found in Nerja and when is avocado harvested in Nerja?
"The most common varieties and their harvest seasons are Hass, Bacon, Fuerte, Pinkerton, and Reed. Each has its special character and harvest season, specified here:
Hass
The most popular avocado variety globally and also here in Axarquia. Hass has a hard, rough skin that darkens when the fruit is ripe. It has a nutty flavor and can be eaten as is or used in cooking, salads, etc.
The harvest season for Hass avocado extends from October to June.
Bacon
This is one of the earliest avocado varieties in the region, with an oval shape, soft green skin, and mild flavor.
The harvest season for Bacon avocado is from October to December and again between January and March.
Fuerte
Fuerte has a pear-shaped appearance and light green, thin skin. It is easy to peel and has a mild, buttery taste.
The Fuerte avocado variety is harvested between November and January.
Pinkerton
An avocado variety with a longer harvest season, from December to March.
Reed
This avocado variety has a shorter harvest season between March and May, making it a later variety that complements the season.
Avocado harvest seasons in Axarquia
Mango in Nerja
Mango in Nerja is one of the most beloved fruits – several varieties are grown here, providing an extended harvest season.
Which mango varieties are available in Nerja and when is mango harvested in Nerja?
Osteen
The most cultivated variety in the region, with red-purple skin and juicy orange flesh. Osteen has a relatively long harvest season from August to October and accounts for the majority of mango exports from Spain.
Keitt
With its green skin with pink accents, Keitt is a later-ripening variety, extending the harvest season to November and December.
Kent
Harvested from mid-September to mid-November and characterized by its sweet taste and almost fiber-free consistency.
Tommy Atkins
An early variety that is harvested from August to September. It has intensely red skin, but the flesh can be a bit fibrous compared to other varieties.
Mango harvest seasons in Axarquia
Chirimoya in Nerja
Chirimoya, also known as "sugar apple," has a very sweet taste and is full of seeds. The most common varieties are:
Fino de Jete
This is the most cultivated variety in Axarquia, accounting for 95% of production. The fruit is green and round with white, creamy flesh. It has a very sweet taste and is harvested from September to May. The largest production volume occurs during October and November.
Campas
A less common variety with larger fruits weighing between 500 and 1000 grams. It is not as sweet as Fino de Jete and has a shorter season.
Chirimoya Fino de Jete harvest season in Axarquia
Image of the Chirimoya fruit
Níspero (Loquat)
Níspero, also known as loquat in English, is a sweet fruit with a slightly tart taste. In Axarquia, the Golden Nugget variety is mainly grown, which has orange-colored flesh and large seeds.
Golden Nugget
The harvest season begins in March and lasts until June. This fruit is easy to peel and has an intense flavor. It can be eaten fresh or used in marmalades.
Image of the Nispero fruit
Passion fruit
Passion fruit is also grown in Axarquia, although it is less common than the other fruits on the list. The harvest season extends from August to November.
Kumquat, a tiny citrus fruit
Kumquat is a small citrus fruit eaten with its peel, it has a unique combination of sweetness and acidity. In Axarquia, it is harvested between January and April and is often used in marmalades and preserves. If you eat it as is, it tastes slightly tart first and then sweet.
Figs in Nerja
Harvested from July to September.
Citrus fruits (Oranges, Mandarins, Lemons)
Oranges and mandarins: Harvested from November to March.
Lemons: Available virtually all year round but are most abundant during autumn and winter.
Pomegranates in Nerja
Pomegranates are harvested from September to November.
Strawberries in Nerja
In Nerja and the rest of the Costa del Sol region, the strawberry season typically runs from February to June. Strawberries thrive in the mild winter climate and warm spring weather of southern Spain, allowing the harvest to begin early in the year compared to Northern Europe. The first harvests often arrive as early as February, and the peak season lasts from March to May.