CETA: an agreement favorable to exports of fruit and vegetables from the EU

The Free Trade Agreement with Canada (CETA), signed on Sunday, October 30th, will help to promote exports of the fruit and vegetable sector of the European Union, according to the Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Living plants (FEPEX).

The CETA will provisionally enter into force when the European Parliament gives its consent to the text in the coming months, and its final approval will only come with the parliamentary ratification of the Twenty-eighth, in a process that will last for years. For FEPEX, ratification of the Agreement would boost Spanish exports to this market when the planned tariff dismantling is implemented and should also contribute to boost shipments to the United States.

Community exports of fresh fruits and vegetables to Canada in 2015 totaled 78,673 tonnes worth € 95 million, corresponding to 28,173 tonnes for vegetables and € 66,758 for fruits, according to data from the European Statistical Office, Eurostat, processed by FEPEX. Canada’s export to the EU totaled 1,779 tonnes.

Community exports of fruit and vegetables to Canada in 2015 were characterized by their diversity, with the main products being tomatoes, onions, garlic, cucumbers, mushrooms, aubergines, beans and others; And in fruits: citrus, apples, pears, plums, kiwis, persimmons and others.

In 2016 and according to the latest Eurostat data available until August, EU exports to Canada amounted to 39,914 tonnes

This figure represents 2% more than in the same period of 2015, being kiwi, citrus and apple the main fruits exported. In value, shipments to Canada up to August this year totaled 51,397, 16% more than in the same period of 2015.

The Spanish export to Canada in 2015 amounted to 52,054 tonnes, according to data from the Customs and Excise Department, with Spain being the main supplier of the EU

Spanish exports are also characterized by diversity. In vegetables they emphasize garlic, cucumber and pepper and in fruits, persimmons, plums and citrus fruits. In 2016 and until August, Spanish exports of vegetables grew 21% to 3,689 tonnes, with exports of fruits up 45%, with citrus fruits down 45%.

The export of fruit and vegetables from Canada to the EU in 2015 is practically non-existent, totaling 1,779 tonnes, limited to some red fruits and apple, data that show the market potential for the community products.

Source: FEPEX