The volume of fruit and vegetables exported by the EU to third countries in the first half of the year decreased by 7% in volume and 1% in value, compared to the same period in 2016, totaling 2.9 million tonnes and €2,408 million, according to the latest data updated by the European Statistical Office, Eurostat, processed by FEPEX.
Community exports of fruit to third countries decreased by 8% in volume, totaling 1.8 million tonnes and the value increased by 1%, amounting to 1,454 million euros. The main fruits sent were apples and pears with 1 million tonnes (-7%) and 497 million euros (-6%) and citrus fruits with 331,894 tonnes (-11%) and 227.1 million euros (+2%).
Community exports of vegetables amounted to 1.1 million tonnes (-7%) and 953.4 million euros (-3%). The highest sales of vegetables to third countries were onions and garlic with 390,047 tonnes (+7%) for a value of 145 million euros (-24%) and potatoes with 361,355 tonnes (-13%) for a value of 161.7 million euros (-7%).
By destination countries, Belarus was the main recipient of fruit and vegetables in the first half of the year, with 700,605 tonnes, 6.6% less than in the same period of 2016. Switzerland follows with 340,524 tonnes (-4.5%) and Norway, with 183,215 tonnes (-18%). Other leading export destinations for fruit and vegetable exports are Serbia with 122,873 tonnes, Ukraine with 94,109 tonnes, Egypt with 90,317 tonnes or Brazil with 83,461 tonnes.
The figures for the first half of 2017, with a drop in Community sales to third countries, maintained the downward trend already observed in 2016, when they also decreased by 9% compared to 2015, totaling 6.5 million tonnes, which reflects, according to FEPEX, the difficulty in accessing new markets.
Source: fepex.es