FEPEX estimates that the export of fresh fruits and vegetables in 2016 will exceed 12,300M€
The Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers Exporters of Fruits and Vegetables (FEPEX) estimates that the value of exports of fresh fruit and vegetables in 2016 will experience a growth of over 12.3 billion euros. It is also expected that this year will close with volumes similar to those of 2015, which came to an all-time high of 12.7 million tonnes exported.
The positive behavior of Spanish exports of fresh fruits and vegetables is reflected not only in growth in value (4.5% and 9.906 million euros according to official data registered up to October), but also in the increase of its volume, although 2016 began with sharp declines, changing the trend from the month of August.
Export figures reflect the growing socio-economic weight of horticultural crops, accounting for 65% of final plant production and 39% of final agricultural production, and whose contribution to agricultural employment exceeds 40%
To maintain this upward trend, FEPEX highlights the need to continue working on three lines of strategic action: new markets, innovation and crisis management. Thus, from this organization it is considered a priority to deepen the diversification of sales abroad and speed up the removal of existing phytosanitary barriers in many countries that prevent access to their markets. In this line, during 2016 the Chinese market for the export of Spanish stone fruit has been opened after years of negotiation and it is necessary to continue working together with the competent administrations in countries with great potential of consumption like the Asian giant.
Another important challenge for 2017 is to accelerate the innovation process, for which it is necessary to strengthen operational funds and programs, mainly to finance investments in farms
Bearing in mind, moreover, that farms are characterized by being far more capital intensive than those in other sectors, a specific program is needed to improve farms in this sector.
Lastly, for FEPEX, the improvement of crisis management measures is a priority, and in this sense it is urgent to publish the Commission Delegated Regulation amending current Regulation 543/2011, which includes new withdrawal prices.
The approval of new withdrawal prices is decisive for price sustainability and alleviating the negative effect of the Russian veto, which has been in force since August 2014, since exports to Russia, the first non-EU market for Spanish fruit and vegetables, do not have been compensated with those of new markets
In this line, FEPEX believes that FRUIT ATTRACTION is contributing significantly to the diversification of third markets, attracting the fair to multiple international buyers. In the 2016 edition, which concluded with the participation of 58,150 professionals, 18% more than the previous year, and with 1,238 exhibiting companies (+ 20%), international participants grew by 17%, reaching a total of 10,085 professionals from 102 countries. The 2017 edition, to be held from October 18 to 20, will deepen in this direction, reinforcing the resources to invite a greater number of buyers, importers, traders, from all those countries with better import behavior .
Source: FEPEX
