The volume of fruit and vegetable exports from Spain increased by only 0.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2014 compared with the previous year, reaching 3.4m tonnes, according to the latest figures from export federation Fepex. The value of the exports rose by 1.4 per cent to €3.172bn.
Fepex said the growth rate was lower than in previous years, due mainly to the political uncertainty in eastern Europe and a fall in the volume of oranges, mandarins and strawberries export freight. Overall, the volume of fruit exported fell by 10.7 per cent to 1.6m tonnes, or €1.446bn (-4.8 per cent) in value terms.
Vegetable exports increased by about 7 per cent in value and 13 per cent in volume, achieving 1.8m tonnes with an export sales value of €1.726bn. Tomatoes, lettuce, peppers and cucumbers were the main products exported during this period.