Proexport and the rest of agricultural organizations (unions, business associations and cooperatives) have joined forces to promote the designation of 12 July as European Fruit Day. For this reason, its representatives have paid a visit to the Regional Assembly in order to promote this initiative. "We believe that measures like this can help boost fruit consumption, which would have social and economic benefits for the Region. Proexport is especially interested in promoting the consumption of fruits like melons and watermelons in Europe in the months of July and August, since the Region of Murcia is one of the EU's main suppliers during those months, as pointed out by the director of Proexport, Fernando P. Gómez Molina.
Exports from Murcia
In fact, the Region of Murcia is the top melon exporter, with a volume of 227,438 tonnes in 2016, which is 51.18% of the national total. Moreover, the value of Murcia's melon exports has increased by 9.52% (158.5 million Euro) compared to 2015. In contrast, the volume recorded a 1.32% drop compared to the previous year (230,487 tonnes).
The main destination for Murcia's melon exports is France, which absorbs 65,025 tonnes worth 57.29 million Euro. Next in the ranking are Germany, with 56,790 tonnes, and the United Kingdom, with 41,769 tonnes. These shipments generated 34 and 26 million Euro, respectively.
As for watermelons, the Region exported 161,546 tonnes in 2016. In terms of value, they reached 67.9 million Euro, which is 10.7% more than in 2015. The increase in consumption was possible thanks to the sector's firm commitment to the production of seedless varieties with an excellent flavour. Germany is the main destination for Murcia's watermelon exports, with a volume close to 59,000 tonnes worth 22.6 million Euro. The second place is for the United Kingdom, with 33,524 tonnes worth 14.5 million Euro. The third place in terms of volume is for Netherlands, with 20,070 tonnes, and France is in fourth place, with 19,679 tonnes.
Meanwhile, Murcia's stonefruit exports (including apricots, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines and table grapes) reached 279,841 tonnes in 2016. Table grapes, with 95,750 tonnes, were the most outstanding product in this group, followed by peaches (74,491 tonnes) and nectarines (61,261 tonnes).
