Andalusian subtropical fruit exporters have achieved their best results in history in the first five months of a year, exceeding 200 million Euro for the first time. According to data from the Extenda-Andalusian Agency for Foreign Promotion, Andalusia exported subtropical fruits worth 203 million Euro between January and May of this year and has multiplied its sales by four in the last decade, with an increase of 342% since 2009.
This figure represents an increase of 5.1% compared to the first five months of 2018; an increase that contrasts with the slight drop experienced by national sales, which are down by 0.3%. With this, Andalusia is the leading region when it comes to the export of subtropical fruits, accounting for almost two thirds of the national total (61%), ahead of the Region of Valencia (14%) and Catalonia (9.9%).
The Andalusian sector maintains its positive trend over the last decade, having multiplied its sales by four since 2009 (+342%), reaching 371 million Euro in 2018. The region has also generated the highest turnover in the country over those ten years.
Malaga, sales leader
In the last decade, all Andalusian provinces have experienced significant growth; however, Malaga is the leading exporter, with 3 out of every 4 Euro sold by Andalusia. To be precise, it accounts for 76% of the total, reaching 282 million in 2018; a figure that almost quadruples the one for 2009, having recorded a 290% increase.
In second place is Granada, with 42 million (11.3% of the total), which has seen its turnover multiplied by six in the last decade, with an increase of 507%. It is followed by Cádiz, with 17 million (4.6%), which has seen its turnover multiplied by nine, with an increase of 823%; and Huelva, with 16 million (4.3%), which entails an increase of 5,424% (a 55-fold growth).
Next in the ranking are Almería, which stands at 7 million Euro, having achieved a fivefold increase (+435%); Seville, with 5 million and an increase of 481%; and Córdoba, with 1.4 million and an increase of 458%.
These positive figures are in line with the increase recorded in the number of subtropical fruit exporting companies, which has doubled in the last decade, with an increase of 104%, going from 137 in 2009 to 280 in 2018. Of these, 121 are regular exporters; that is, they have been exporting for more than four years.
Avocados, at the head
Andalusia mainly exports avocados, with shipments worth 259 million Euro, which is 70% of all sales in 2018. This figure has tripled over the last decade, with an increase of 260%. Next in terms of importance are guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, with 63 million Euro (16.9%). This figure has grown sixfold since 2009, with an increase of 578%.
In third place are kakis, with 15 million Euro (4%); and fresh fruits (except red fruits), including kiwis, durions, persimmons, tamarinds, cashew nuts, fruits of the breadfruit, lychees and sapotillos, passion fruit, carambola and pitahayas, with 14 million Euro; and pineapples, with 12 million Euro.
Europe, main destination
Europe is the main destination for Andalusian subtropical fruit exports. In first place is France, with 144 million Euro (39%); a figure that has grown threefold in the last decade (+261%). It is followed by Germany, with 50 million Euro (13.6%) and a sixfold growth (+520%); and the Netherlands, with 36 million Euro (9.8%) and a fourfold growth (+379%).
In fourth place is Portugal, with 31 million Euro (8.5%) and a sixfold growth (+565%); followed by the United Kingdom, with 25.6 million, (6.9%) and a threefold increase (+236%); Italy, with 15 million and a 15-fold growth (+1,426%); Belgium, with 10.3 million Euro and a fourfold increase (+386%); Denmark, with 6.8 million Euro (+152%); Austria, with 6.6 million (+2,273%); and Switzerland, with 5.5 million and a 140-fold growth in the last decade (+139,321%).