Versatility of lettuce to take centre stage at Fruit Attraction 2023

Fruit Attraction 2023 will shine a special light on lettuce’s versatility, smooth flavour and freshness, while also highlighting Spain’s leading position as a major producer and exporter of this leafy green. Spain has emerged as a dominant force in lettuce production, with the 2022 crop totalling just under one million tons, cultivated on a total of 33,411 hectares, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The Region of Murcia with 15,474 hectares. (46% of the total) and Andalusia with 10,265 (31%) lead the ranking of producers, not just in Spain but in all of Europe, thanks to their mild autumns and winters . As for exports, in 2022 they totalled 714,503 tons, worth €826 million, according to data from the Department of Customs and Excise, processed by FEPEX. The Region of Murcia is also the number-one exporter, with 465,985 tons exported for a value of €524 million, followed by Andalusia (€158 million) and the Valencian Community (€92.5 million). PROEXPORT is the fruit and vegetable association that brings together the majority of Spanish lettuce production in all its varieties and successfully hosted the first edition of Lettuce Attraction in 2017. According to its director, Fernando Gómez, during the fair, “producers, distributors and processors from different countries will analyse the trends and challenges facing the sector from the productive, economic, distribution and gastronomic side”.