More than 21,200 migrant individuals with favorable residence and work permits have participated in the 2025/2026 red fruit campaign in the province of Huelva. The first contingents began to arrive on January 2nd and, in a staggered manner, new groups joined until, in the case of Morocco, over 15,600 arrivals were reached. Thus, Huelva accounts for 84% of the total hires included in the Collective Management of Origin Hiring (Gecco) program.
As detailed by the Government Sub-delegation in Huelva in a statement, these figures were presented this Friday at the Provincial Commission on Migration Flows. The meeting emphasized that the African continent is gaining prominence, as, in addition to Morocco, Senegal—since last October—and Mauritania have joined. Furthermore, 4,155 new workers have been incorporated, in addition to those who already held valid four-year permits.
In the province of Huelva, Morocco remains the main country of origin for the workforce that participated in the latest campaign, with over 15,500 displacements. However, groups arriving from Latin America—especially from Ecuador, Honduras, Colombia, and Guatemala—are playing an increasingly significant role within the operation.
To meet the personnel demand for the 2025/2026 campaign, new workers have been selected in the following countries: Morocco (3,305), Honduras (500), Guatemala (200), Paraguay (100), and Mauritania (50).
All of this was addressed this Friday at the Provincial Commission on Migration Flows, co-chaired by the Government Sub-delegate in Huelva, María José Rico, and the Director General of Migration, Santiago Yerga, a forum where the 2025/2026 agricultural campaign for the red fruit sector in the province was reviewed and analyzed.
The provincial head of the Department of Labor and Immigration, Angélica Alonso, also participated in the meeting, as did representatives from the Federation of Cooperatives of Andalusia, Asaja, Freshuelva, ACPH, UPA, and Fresón de Palos, along with the trade unions UGT and CCOO. During the session, new strategies and improvement proposals were put forward, in line with the Gecco Order approved for 2026.
The deputy delegate has emphasized that Huelva "continues to consolidate itself as a benchmark" in circular migration, "as demonstrated by the incorporation, in this campaign, of workers from two new countries: Mauritania and Paraguay. Thus, the number of nationalities that travel to the province rises to eight."
"The incorporation of these new countries strengthens bilateral cooperation relations and represents a greater guarantee for companies, by facilitating the coverage of their labor needs in an orderly and planned manner," Rico stressed.
During the meeting, the application of the new Foreigners Regulation, in force since May 20, 2025, was also analyzed. Its purpose is to adapt the regulations to the current migratory reality, respond to the needs of the labor market and migrant persons, and at the same time contribute to facing the demographic challenge.
Regarding seasonal activities, the focus has been on "strengthening the protection" of the rights of migrant workers. Among the new features is the obligation to provide detailed written information—in a language understandable to the worker—about their employment and stay conditions, and associated expenses. Likewise, "improvements in habitability and safety conditions have been incorporated, guaranteeing their protection from their departure from their country of origin to their effective registration in the Social Security in Spain."
Huelva accounts for 84% of Gecco contracts
In relation to Gecco, in 2025, "historic" figures in circular migration have been registered in Spain, with 25,767 migrant workers benefiting from these regular, safe, and orderly mobility programs. This figure comfortably exceeds the more than 20,000 participants in 2024 and the 19,000 in 2023.
The Gecco contracting framework, operational since 2000, has closed its 25th anniversary with maximum participation, with an increase of close to 25% compared to the previous year. This progress confirms the importance of the program, which includes the granting of work permits for four years, renewable as long as the established requirements are met.
These multi-year authorizations allow working up to a maximum of nine months per calendar year through fixed-discontinuous employment. Upon completion of each period of activity, workers are obliged to return immediately to their country of origin.
In the 2025 campaign, 17 countries participated: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Gambia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Morocco, Mauritania, Mexico, Peru, Dominican Republic, Senegal, El Salvador, and Uruguay.
Morocco remains the main country of origin, with 81% of hires and a predominantly female profile (92%) and an average age of 43 years. Colombia follows, with 13%, and Honduras, with 4%. The agricultural sector concentrates most of the activity. Workers have traveled to 21 Spanish provinces, although Huelva accounts for the largest volume of hires, with 84% of the total.
Returns and participation of international protection applicants
In the current campaign, returns have barely begun, although they are expected to become widespread in the coming weeks, once employment relationships conclude. Workers must return "immediately" to their countries of origin and report this return, "in due time and form," to the Government Sub-delegation.
Compliance with this requirement is essential to be able to be called again in future campaigns, under the four-year authorization they hold.
On the other hand, it was highlighted in the Commission that, since last year, agricultural companies also benefit from the contribution of foreign nationals applying for international protection, thanks to the collaboration between the Directorate General for Humanitarian Assistance and the International Protection Reception System and sector organizations.
In this context, the Sub-delegation held a meeting with officials from the aforementioned Directorate General, where it was reported that approximately 1,800 people, mostly from Mali, have traveled to the province for the current agricultural campaign, joining companies associated with Freshuelva and Asaja.