German fruit and vegetable import slightly lower in first six months

The German import of fresh fruits and vegetables was slightly smaller in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year. This is the result of a similar import of fresh fruit and a decrease in import of fresh vegetables. The value of both the import of fresh fruit and vegetables was lower than in 2013, by 3 and 10 percent respectively. The average price per tonne was 5% lower for both.

Bananas dominate in fresh fruit, the import was 3% larger in the first half of this year compared to last year. What is striking is the strong decline in the import of oranges. Germany usually imports more of the oranges from Spain. The supply of Spanish oranges was small in the first six months: a total export of 1.09 million tonnes compared to 1.33 million tonnes in the first half of 2013. The large decrease of the import carrots also stands out. The import of tomatoes, the main vegetable product, showed a small decrease (-2%). Products of which more were imported in the first half of the year were apples, with an increase of 13%, cucumbers at +3%, peppers +3%, grapes +6% and watermelons and Clementines as well.

A lot less Spanish oranges
Spain is the main supplier of all fruit and vegetables overall, but this is due to the large import of fresh fruit. The Netherlands is Germany's biggest supplier of fresh vegetables over the course of the whole year. Spain is the largest supplier over the first six months. Despite the large decrease in the import of Spanish oranges, the total German fruit import from Spain is "only" 4% behind that of last year. In contrast to the decline in oranges from Spain there is a large increase in Clementines (+16%), apples (+16%), pears (+20%), strawberries (+10%) and grapes (+19%). The German import of Spanish kiwis was also a lot smaller (-13%) in the first six months of this year.

The German import of Spanish vegetables was 4% larger than a year ago in the first half of this year. The import of the main product, tomatoes, was a fraction larger. The import of Spanish cucumbers was 4% larger and that of peppers from Spain was also 4% larger. More Dutch tomatoes, apples and pears (2%) found their way onto the German market. This is based on figures from German Statistisches Bundesambt which tends to base their figures on the country of origin. The Dutch figures are therefore Dutch products. In reality this isn't always the case and there is also some re-export in there. According to the German importing statistics 6% more tomatoes were imported in the first six months. The import of Dutch cucumbers and peppers remained slightly behind and that of carrots dropped strongly (by almost a quarter). Onions, with and increase of 16%, apples (+7%) and pears (+14%) did well.

For more information:
Fruit & Vegetable Facts
Jan Kees Boon
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www.fruitandvegetablefacts.com
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