Fruit and vegetable import in Spain increased 34%

During the first 4 months of 2007 Spanish imports increased a 14% in amount regarding the same period of 2006, reaching 906.135 tons, and a value of 35% for a total turnover of 554 million euros. That´s what we read on Fepex (Iberian association of producers and exporters of fruit and vegetables) website. In the analysed period the average price per imported Kg increased by 18% varying from 0,52 euro-cents per kg to 0,61 euro-cents per kg. Regarding imported vegetable quantities, the Association states that most meaningful increasings concern onions (+134%), green beans (+20%), peppers (+41%) and tomatoes. Morocco has become Spain's main supplying country of green beans, peppers and tomatoes. It represents the 96% of Spanish imports of green beans, the 97% of peppers and the 98% of tomatoes. With regard to imported fruit amount, adds Fepex, the greatest increase concerns apples (+20%), melons (+20%), pineapples (+50%) and table grapes. Imports from Southern Hemisphere continues increasing. The 55% of melons come from Brazil, but also from Costa Rica and Panama. Regarding table grapes, the main supplier of Spain is Chile (43% of the total) followed by South Africa (16%).