The US government has closed the border to Spanish peppers. The decision came unexpectedly and without warning. Coexphal, the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers' Organizations of Almería, immediately contacted the Ministry of Agriculture to find out the exact circumstances and to ask the Ministry to look into how exports to the US, which had only started again a month ago, can be revived. According to Coexphal, in early December the US Administration began new negotiations to implement new export control measures for the 2025-26 season.
On Thursday, January 16, Spain was notified that the US was closing its borders to Spanish peppers. "The news is a big disappointment," says Luis Miguel Fernández, director of Coexphal. "We have worked hard to meet all the requirements of the export protocol. Now we see this hard work undone by the US decision. In addition to the financial losses, companies are also seeing their trade agreements with American customers fall through. This damages the reputation of our sector. We are working hard to prevent this kind of situation from happening again," he added.
Spain exported approximately 1 million kilos of peppers to the US between December 1 and January 15; a significant figure which could double by the end of the export period, initially scheduled for April 30, if sales to this market are restored.
Exports to the US were resumed a year ago, after meeting strict requirements set by US customs. This was possible thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fepex, the control body Agrocolor, and the growers who worked hard to implement improvements in their crops and facilities.
The border control point in Almería also played a crucial role. The staff even worked outside regular hours to optimally support the sector.
For more information:
Coexphal
www.coexphal.es