Spanish imports of fresh fruit and vegetables from third countries grew by 21% in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2016, totalling 436.5 million Euro and representing 62% of the total. Meanwhile, imports from the EU grew by 13%, totalling 267.2 million Euro, according to data from the Department of Customs and Special Taxes of the Spanish Tax Agency, processed by FEPEX.
Spain's largest non-EU supplier of fruit and vegetables is Morocco, with 229 million Euro; up 35% compared to the first quarter of 2016. Spain's purchases from Morocco have recorded strong growth over the last five years, going from 67 million Euro in 2013 to 229 million in 2017; up 242%. At a great distance from Morocco, the ranking of Spain's most important suppliers continues with Peru, with 38.4 million Euro (+12%); Costa Rica, with 37.7 million Euro (+19%) and Brazil, with 28.1 million Euro (+19%).
At EU level, France is the largest supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables in Spain, with 110.7 million Euro (+13%), followed by Italy, with 42.6 million (+20%) and the Netherlands, with 34.3 million Euro (-3%).
Globally, Spanish imports of fresh fruits and vegetables grew by 17.5% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, totalling 703.7 million Euro.