Spanish horticultural exports continue to increase

Spanish exports of fruit and vegetables grew in August by 13% in value and 7% in volume over the same month of 2012, totaling 584 million euro and 708,864 tons respectively. Fepex gathers data from the Department of Customs and Excise Tax which detailed how vegetables grew by 21.5% in value, up to 124 million euro and 12% in volume, with 154,560 tons. Fruit grew by 10.5% in value and 6% in volume, 140 million euro and 554,304 tons respectively.

The main increased export volumes in August were for watermelons, with 113,885 tons, 24% more than in the same month last year, nectarines, with 98 223 tons ( +7 % ), and melons, with 90,033 tons ( -3%).

Onions, with 41,285 tons (+31 %) and tomatoes, with 28,730 tons (+14 %) were the highlights of the vegetables.

In the January to August period, compared with the same period of 2012, horticultural exports grew by 5% in volume, amounting to 7.7 million tons, and 13% in value, amounting to 7.212 million euro.

Fruits totaled 4.6 million tons (+3 %), with a value of 4,238 million euro (+12 %) and vegetables stood at 3 million tons (+15 %) and 4,238 million euro (+ 12%).

For Fepex, August’s export behavior was due to the positive evolution of consumer demand in key European markets and the growth of Spanish production.