FEPEX estimates that the value of Spanish fruit and vegetable exports in 2017 will be € 13,000M
FEPEX expects that the export of fresh fruits and vegetables will be around 13,000 million euros in 2017, with a growth of 3% compared to 2016.
In tons, sales abroad lose momentum, stabilizing around 12.6 million tons, the same volume as in 2016
By markets, the geographical distribution of sales remains unchanged, with the EU representing 94%, other countries in Europe, 2% and markets in other continents 6%. The behavior by species, both in volume exported and in prices, is very disparate, with strong variations attributable to both the adverse weather and the behavior of demand in different markets, showing that diversity is one of the great strengths of the sector for maintain its growth.
Regarding imports, up to October 2017 they have grown by 5.5% in volume and 8.6% in value, compared to the same period in 2016, totaling 2.5 million tons and 2.098 billion euros, foreseeing that the year closes with a strong progression in both volume and value.
For FEPEX, the rise in imports, which has been occurring in recent years, especially since 2013, marks a change in trend, Spain becoming an increasingly importing country
This is due, on the one hand, to the greater external competition of countries with calendars and crops coinciding with the Spanish production, and on the other hand to the growing diversification of the demand of national consumption and the deseasonalization.
The strong progression of imports is not in line with consumption, which continues to fall in homes and that until October this year, has stood at 6.555 million kilos, 3.4% less than the same period of 2016 and the expense was 9,591 million euros (-0.6%).
In 2018, FEPEX has set as a priority objective to contribute to the growth of the sector, enhancing the measures of consolidation and diversification of sales, both in the foreign and national market
In this sense, FRUIT ATTRACTION, which will celebrate its tenth edition from October 23th to 25th, 2018, is a measure of strategic interest, since it has become the main promotional tool, which also contributes to the diversification of markets. The draft FEPEX action plan for next year also includes measures in multiple areas. In production, to improve competitiveness; in crisis management, to deal more effectively with supply and demand imbalances and low prices; as well as in the diversification of markets, to help strengthen the resilience of the export sector.
Source: FEPEX