Vegetables and stone fruits contribute to a rebound in the Spanish fruit and vegetable exports in August

Spanish exports of fresh fruits and vegetables has seen a clear rebound in August, led by vegetables and stone fruit. So, in that month, exports grew 11,7% in volume and 12% in value compared to August 2015, totaling 768.993 tons and 665,6 million euros, according to the Department of Customs and Excise, processed by FEPEX.

The export of vegetables in August has seen an increase of 24,3%, totaling 185.214 tons, worth 174,4 million euros (+ 26.3%), highlighting the growth of lettuce (+ 174%) with 25.093 tons, tomato (+ 13%) with 24.683 tons and potatoes (+ 38%) with 20.399 tons, while decreased exports onion, main vegetable exported this month, with 12,8% less and 37.984 tonnes.

Fruit exports in August increased 8,3% in volume and 7,8% in value, totaling 583.779 tons and 491,2 million euros. It highlights the growth of stone fruit, with 26% in peach exports, totaling 103.027 tons; a 2% increase in exports of nectarine, totaling 99.295 tons; 13% in the case of the plum, totaling 26.530 tons and 102% in apricot, reaching 7.190 tons.

Also noteworthy is the growth of watermelon (+ 10%), with 127.724 tons and melon (+ 11.4%) with 92.658 tonnes

In the accumulated from January to August, shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables registered a volume decrease of 4,1%, totaling 8,3 million tons, while value grew by 4,4%, totaling 8.539 million euros. Vegetables grew 3,5% in volume and 5,6% in value, amounting to 3,6 million tons and 3.495 million euros. Fruit fell by 9,2% in volume, reaching 4,7 million tons and increased by 3,6% in value, totaling 5.044 million euros. By destination, exports directed to the EU in the first eight months of 2016, representing 94,2% of the total, increasing their participation, non-EU European countries went 5,7% and markets outside Europe, 2,2%.

Imports in August grew 13,8% in value, totaling 184 million euros, despite the decline of import volume of 1,5%, totaling 203.300 tons. Imports of vegetables in August stood at 38 million euros (-20.6%) and 64.111 tons (-25%) and fruit totaled 148 million euros (+ 13,8%) and 139.189 tons (+15 ,2%).

For FEPEX, the good performance of the export of certain products in August and boost exports, a result of FRUIT ATTRACTION, allow us to provide a change of negative monthly trend of shipments in volume until July and maintain growth in the whole year

Source: FEPEX