Uplift in Spain’s fruit, veg imports

Spain’s imports of fresh fruit and vegetables rose 15% in volume, to 2.3 million tons, and 22% in value, to €1.93 billion, from January to October compared to the same period the previous year.

Government data processed by Fepex also shows the highest growth occurred in fruit imports, which rose 21% in volume and 23% in value, to 1.3 million tons and €1.35 billion respectively.

Spain’s banana imports for the first ten months of 2016 were up 28% year on year to 235,079 tons, apples up 19% to 187,754 tons and oranges up 30% to 161,300 tons.

There was striking growth of 52% in its avocado imports, to 79,805 tons, with a corresponding rise in value of 62% to €161 million.

Spain’s vegetable imports for the year to the end of October had grown by 7.6% in volume and 19% in value to 1 million tons and €581 million.

Standing out were potatoes with 28% growth in volume to 549,387 tons and onions with a 104% upswing to 61,866 tons.