During the first five months of the year, Spain imported 2.2 million tonnes worth €2.656 billion. These figures represent year-on-year increases of 5.5% in volume and 3.5% in value, according to data from the Spanish Department of Customs and Excise Duties processed by FEPEX.
More than half of the produce purchased abroad, specifically 53.2%, came from third countries. Their share in economic terms was considerably higher, however: the 1.17 million tonnes sourced from outside the EU generated a bill of €1.932 billion, up 6.9% compared with the period from January to May 2025.
This difference placed the average value of non-EU produce at approximately €1.65 per kilogramme, compared with around €0.70 per kilogramme for purchases from within the European Union. This comparison must be interpreted in light of the different product mixes imported from each origin.
Morocco increases its revenue despite lower volumes
Morocco strengthened its position as Spain’s leading non-EU supplier and the country’s largest source of fruit and vegetable imports by value. Spain purchased 303,068 tonnes of fruit and vegetables from the neighbouring country for €890 million.
Volume and value followed contrasting trends. Import volumes fell by 6.1% compared with the same period in 2025, while their value rose by 6.7%. Consequently, the average value of these purchases approached €2.94 per kilogramme, around 13.6% higher than a year earlier. This increase may reflect both price movements and changes in the mix of products purchased.
Morocco alone accounted for 33.5% of Spain’s total spending on fruit and vegetable imports and 46.1% of the amount spent on produce from third countries.
More European produce, but at a lower value
Purchases from other EU Member States also increased in volume. They reached 1.03 million tonnes, up 5.8%, and accounted for 46.8% of Spain’s total imports.
Their value, however, fell by 4.5% to €725 million. The EU’s share was therefore limited to 27.3% of Spain’s total import bill, despite supplying almost half of the tonnage.
The figures reveal a markedly uneven trading structure. While the European Union remains the main destination for Spanish fruit and vegetable exports, accounting for 83.5% of the volume sold abroad up to May, third countries are becoming increasingly prominent as suppliers and now receive nearly three in every four euros spent on imports.
