2019 kicks off with growth in fruit and vegetable exports

Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable exports grew by 9% in volume and by 5.5% in value, reaching 2.5 million tonnes and €2,633 million according to the latest data from the General Directorate of Customs corresponding to the period of January and February 2019, as compared to the same months of 2018.

In January Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable exports grew by 6%, totalling €1,361 million, of which €781.4 million corresponded to vegetables, 13% more than in January 2018, with the remaining €580.2 million accounting for fruits, which contracted by 2.5%.

In February 2019, Spanish fruit and vegetable sales grew by 8% in volume and 5% in value compared to the same month of the previous year, totalling 1.2 million tonnes and €1,272 million. Vegetable shipments increased by 14% in value, totalling €708 million. The highlights were the export of tomatoes, with €135 million ( 22%), and peppers, with €145 million ( 12%), as well as lettuce, which recorded a value of €98 million ( 26%).

Fruit exports in February grew by 9% in volume, totalling 545,765 tonnes, while their value contracted by 4%, coming to €563 million, with citrus fruit representing the largest volumes.

FEPEX considers that these data reflect a positive overall performance, although very disparate behaviour has been observed in terms of results for sectors and products.