Spain: Almeria starts year with 17% increase in horticultural exports

Fruit and vegetable exporting companies from Almeria started 2012 with a monthly historical record: they sold almost 242,000 tons in the external markets, meaning a 10.5% increase in comparison with January 2011, when they exported 218,700 tons. As for the sales value, the relative rise was even bigger (16.73%), since turnover was of 248.6 million Euro, against almost 213 million in January 2011, as highlighted by the delegate of the Council for Agriculture and Fishing, José Antonio Salinas.

As for shipments, the majority corresponds to vegetables (241,892 tons, valued at 248.6 million Euro), while fruit sales - excluding citrus - was above 567 tons, with a value of 746 million Euro, representing an increase in turnover of almost 240% regarding the same period of last year, according to data from the Spanish Institute of External Commerce.

About its value, fruits and vegetables represent more than 85% of the total exports of the province in January of 2012. From the first ten exported products by Almería in January, eight are from the fruit and vegetables sector.

Germany is the best client from Almería vegetables. In January they bought vegetables valued at more than 66.5 million Euro (27.6% of the total export).

Source: Elalmeria