Vegetable exports increase, fruit exports decrease
The value of the Spanish export of fresh fruit and vegetables has reached 12,832 million euros in 2018, with an interannual increase of 1% and the volume has been placed at 12.5 million tons, 1% less, according to the updated data , by the Department of Customs and Special Taxes, maintaining the stabilization trend of the last three years, according to FEPEX.
The export of vegetables in 2018 has grown 4.4% in volume and 0.4% in value in relation to 2017, totaling 5.3 million tons and 5,290 million euros, highlighting, within the group of vegetables more exported, the growths of pepper, cucumber and lettuce, while tomato fell by 7.5% in value, with 927 million euros and remained stable in volume with 812,571 tons. Pepper exports stood at 745,903 tons (+ 8.6%) and 977.2 million euros (+ 2%), cucumber exports amounted to 648,521 tons (+ 3.4%) and 595 million euros ( + 5%) and lettuce rose to 795,195 tonnes (+ 4.3%) and 690 million euros (+ 4%).
In 2018, fruit registered an interannual decrease in volume of 4.4%, totaling 7.1 million tons, while the value increased by 1.4%, amounting to 7,542 million euros. Noteworthy is the significant decrease in nectarine, with 24% less in volume and 2.4% in value, totaling 357,471 tonnes and 408 million euros, peach with 382,378 tonnes (-16%) and 381 million euros (+1 , 5%) and plum with 71,565 tons (-27%) and 86 million euros (-13%), as well as persimmon, with 168,341 tons (-22%) and 173 million euros (-10%), while notes a strong growth in other fruits such as watermelon, with 17% more in volume and 32% in value, totaling 861.952 tons and 428.6 million euros, table grapes, with 170.658 tons (+ 19%) and 337 million of euros (+ 18%), raspberry with 50,414 tonnes (+ 10%) and 383 million euros (+ 11%) and cranberry with 57,802 tonnes (+ 24%) and 324 million euros (+ 18%).
Andalusia is the main exporting autonomous community, with 4.1 million tons (+ 4%) and 5,066 million euros (+ 3%), followed by Comunidad Valenciana, with 3.7 million tons (-1%) and 3,412 million euros (-1%) and Murcia with 2.5 million tons, the same amount as in 2017 and 2,504 million euros (+ 3%). By country, exports to the EU represented 94% of the total, highlighting the positive evolution of the first three markets: Germany, with 3,431 million euros (+ 3%), France with 2,300 million euros (+ 5%) and United Kingdom, with 1,766 million euros (+ 3%). On the other hand, exports from Europe fall, falling by 10% to 534 million euros, reflecting the difficulties and barriers to accessing a large group of third countries, according to FEPEX. The good performance of Canada stands out, once the Trade Agreement with the EU came into force, where 36% more was exported, amounting to 93.4 million euros, while exports to the United States fell sharply, which were reduced 50.3 million euros.
Assembly 5 a Day. 2019 In 2018, the import of fresh fruits and vegetables continued to grow strongly, with 8% more in volume and 9% more in value than in 2017, standing at 3.3 million tons and 2,757 million euros, with a wide range of products, among which stands out in fruits, the avocado with 237 million euros, the kiwi, with 192 million euros and the apple, with 147 million euros and in vegetables, the potato with 209 million euros and the green bean with 175 million euros (+ 13%).
For FEPEX, the behavior of the fruit and vegetables group in 2018 reflects the importance of the Community market for the Spanish sector that continues to support exports. They also reflect that diversity is one of the main strengths of the Spanish sector, allowing to compensate the strong external competition in certain products.
