In 2013, the Region of Murcia was the number one Spanish province in terms of fruit and vegetable export volumes, as reported by the councillor of Agriculture and Water, Antonio Cerdá. He attributed this to the "great work and commitment to modernisation of the region's agricultural sector."
Murcia will attempt to consolidate its international position with its participation, next week, in the world's largest fruit and vegetable fair, Fruit Logistica 2014, which will take place between 5 and 7 February in Berlin, and where there will be over 200 Murcian entrepreneurs. Cerdá stressed the importance of this fair for the Region by mentioning "the quantity and quality of the contracts that are normally signed during those three days."
Regarding fresh fruit and vegetable exports, Murcia's exports increased in 2013 by around 13.5% compared to 2012, with 2,266 million Euro generated, which represents 20% of Spain's total exports (24% of the vegetables and 16% of the fruits); 28% if we take processed fruit and vegetables into account.
Main destinations for horticultural exports
Most Murcian products (96%) are shipped to the European Union, with Germany, the United Kingdom and France as the main destinations for Murcia's fruit and vegetables, with 65% of the total.
The Region of Murcia is one of the world's largest fruit and vegetable exporters, mainly for products like lettuce, with 27% of the world's shipments, cauliflower and broccoli (17%), artichoke (12%) and lemon, with 12% of all international exports. It is Europe's number one lettuce, cauliflower, lemon and melon marketer.
The councillor of Agriculture pointed out that "the region's fruit and vegetable sector has the right conditions to stay at the top of the international market." Cerdá is confident that next week's fair "will lead to a strengthening of the Region's trade relations overseas and the opening of a trade network in Eastern Europe."
Source: Carm