European market accounts for 97% of Spanish fruit and vegetable exports

Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable exports to the European Union reached €10.6 billion between January and September 2024, representing 81% of total sales, says a Spanish media outlet. This percentage has remained stable over the last five years, reflecting the importance of the EU as the main market for the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector.

In terms of volume, 7.6 million tons were sent to the EU, equivalent to 84% of total exports. Comparing this data with the same period in 2020, the share of the EU as the main destination has varied minimally, ranging from 80% to 82% in recent years.

Germany is consolidated as the main destination for Spanish fruit and vegetables, with exports valued at 3,796 million euros, 5% more than last year and 26% more than in 2020.

France is in second place, with a more moderate increase in value. Up to September, exports to this country reached €2,123 million, 3% more than in 2023 and 8.5% more than five years ago.

The United Kingdom, despite being outside the EU, remains a key market and ranks third, with purchases valued at €1,515 million, 8% more than in 2023 and 13.5% more than in 2020.

Exports outside the EU

According to data from the Customs and Excise Department, fruit and vegetable sales outside the EU between January and September 2024 totaled €2,444 million, representing 19% of the total, while the volume exported was 1.4 million tons, 16% of the total. The United Kingdom leads exports outside the EU, followed by Switzerland and Norway.

In total, sales to the European continent, which include countries inside and outside the EU, amounted to €12,681 million and 8.8 million tons, representing 97% of the total value and volume. On the other hand, exports to destinations outside Europe accounted for only 3% of value and volume, with €363 million and 249,087 tons respectively.

source: aenverde.es, fepex.es

photo: agronegocios.es