The Spanish fruit and vegetable sector is the main contributor to Spain’s agri‑food trade balance. Of the more than 75 billion euros exported in 2024, over 20 billion were generated by the fruit and vegetable sector. Exports continue to grow year after year, with an increase of more than 9% compared to the previous year. There is also growing market diversification, as bilateral export protocols are being finalized for new products and countries thanks to the determined work of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA).
María Naranjo Crespo, directora de la Industria Agroalimentaria del ICEX
Spain is the world’s third‑largest exporter of fruits and vegetables, behind China and the Netherlands. It is the leading EU country in organic farming area. It has more than 20 Protected Designations of Origin and more than 40 Protected Geographical Indications, demonstrating its commitment to quality, diversity and sustainability across the territory. It is worth highlighting the growth of tropical and subtropical crops, as well as the dynamism of the agri‑industry, which improves productivity and water efficiency every day through its commitment to innovation.
The importance of buyer missions
One of the main international showcases for our sector is undoubtedly professional trade fairs. A clear example is Fruit Attraction, which, with more than fifteen editions behind it, has become one of the most international fairs, both in number of exhibitors and visitors (its 17th edition received more than 120,000 visitors from 152 countries, 7% more than in the 2024 edition).
From ICEX, and in collaboration with MAPA, an important international buyer mission from more than forty countries is promoted. Through the Economic and Commercial Offices of the Spanish Embassies, buyers who want to expand their catalogue of Spanish products in different categories are selected. In the last edition of Fruit Attraction, more than 1,000 bilateral meetings took place. This initiative is not only carried out at IFEMA; it also extends to other sector fairs, such as FIMA and FIGAN.
But the service offered to these international buyers does not end with their presence at these professional events. Taking advantage of their stay in Spain, the opportunity is offered to Autonomous Communities, sectoral associations and other local entities (for example, Chambers of Commerce or Provincial Councils) to organize agendas that allow them to get to know their territories and farms first‑hand, and thus verify the commitment to quality, excellence and sustainability of the companies. The vision of the fruit and vegetable sector becomes much more complete.
It is essential that both exhibiting companies and the Autonomous Communities and other groupings make the most of this powerful program to diversify their markets—one of the sector’s major pending tasks—and expand commercial relationships with new partners. The meetings held during these fairs with companies are reinforced by field visits, where the commitment of farmers, cooperatives and marketing companies to the excellence and quality of Spanish agriculture is showcased.
