MADRID: The value of Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable exports in 2016 increased by 5% compared to the same period of 2015, totaling 12,486 million Euro (and exceeding 12,000 million for the first time), according to data released this week by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness and processed by FEPEX. The volume fell by 2% down to 12.5 million tons.
According to details, vegetable exports in 2016 were worth 5,206 million Euros, 7.5% more than in 2015, with a volume totaling 5.2 million tons (+2.4%). The most noteworthy growth was that of peppers, with 930.8 million Euro (+12%), lettuce, with 656.6 million Euro (+4%), cucumbers, with 547 million Euro (+15%) and cabbage, with 456.8 million Euro (+7%), while tomatoes, the most exported vegetable, recorded a stabilization of the value compared to the previous year, with 959.5 million Euro.
Meanwhile, the export of fruits fell by 5% in volume, standing at 7.1 million tons, and increased by 3% in value, totaling 7,279 million Euros.
By destinations, the EU accounted for 92.6% of Spanish exports, with 11,565 million Euro, 5% more than in 2015. Outside the EU, shipments to European countries fell by 5%, totaling 331.7 million Euro. This is mostly due to the maintenance of the Russian veto and loss of market share in countries like Norway. However, exports to non-European countries increased by 11% and were worth 589 million Euro, with Brazil as the main destination, with 109 million Euro (+23%).
Imports in 2016 continued the growing trend of recent years, recording a strong 17% growth in value and 12% increase in volume, totaling 2,313 million Euro and 2.9 million tons, respectively. Fruit imports amounted to 1.6 million tons (+16%) and were worth 1,576 million Euro (+18%), while vegetable exports amounted to 1.2 million tons (+7%) worth 737 million Euro (+16%).
In 2016, the value of exports exceeded 12,000 million Euro for the first time, which according to FEPEX is a sign of the sector’s positive development. However, there is concern about the decline in volume, and especially about the development of some tomato productions, which play a key role.