In 2014, Almeria exported 2.392 million kilos of agro-food products, which is 5.4% more than in 2013 and a new record for the province. With these sales, Almeria's companies received 2,130 million Euro; a figure which, despite being 1.2% lower than in 2013, is the second highest ever for Almeria. In 2014, the value of the province's exports was 50% greater than 10 years ago.
When it comes to volume and value, fresh fruits and vegetables have contributed the most to Almeria's foreign trade balance, with 73% of the provincial quota. In 2014, companies in the sector exported 1,948 million kilos of fresh vegetables; 7.2% more than in 2013. The turnover generated by these sales reached 1,745 million Euro; 1.89% less than in 2013, when, according to Icex, the highest figure on record was achieved.
Nationally, Almeria consolidated its leading position last year, with a 40.2% share; that is, for every 100 Euro worth of fresh vegetables exported overseas, over 40 were billed by horticultural companies in Almeria. Murcia came second, with 24%, and Valencia appears third in the ranking, with 8.1%.
In the list of top ten products exported by Almeria, nine belong to the horticultural sector.
Peppers, after several years in second position, were Almeria's most exported product in 2014, with total exports worth almost 528 million Euro; 19.6% of the province's total exports. Tomatoes, which dropped from first to second, accounted for 18.6% of the exports, and cucumbers came third, with 10.7%.
After cement, which was the province's fourth most important product for export, came courgettes (5.8%). The sixth place was for watermelons (3.6), followed by aubergines (3.1%), almonds (2.2%), lettuce (2%), and finally, in tenth place, by melons (1.7%).
The European Union remains the main destination for fresh vegetables from Almeria. In total, the EU countries imported 97% of the province's produce last year. The main customer was Germany, with nearly 565 million Euro (32.4% of the total), which even increased its purchases by 3.4%. The second destination was France, with 13.6%; third, the Netherlands (13%); fourth, the UK (11.4%); fifth, Italy (6.2%), and sixth, Poland (4.5%).
Russia, due to the veto, has reduced its imports of fresh vegetables by 31.4%. It purchased products worth 8.3 million Euro, compared with 12.1 million in 2013.
By contrast, the United States increased its purchases of fresh vegetables from Almeria by 115%, from 2.3 million in 2013 to nearly 5 million. Canada also increased its imports by 22%, with 6.4 million Euro.
Source: ElalmerÃa
