In the period between 2009 and 2012, the Netherlands became the largest worldwide exporter and re-exporter of fruit and vegetables (including citrus), according to data provided by the Statistics Division of the United Nations.
Taking 2012's exports and re-exports into account, the Netherlands handled 14.6% of the world's total, followed by Spain, with 12.1%, and China, with 10.9%.
The fourth place in the ranking was for Mexico (9.7%), followed by the United States (8.3%), Canada (5%), France (4.4%), Belgium (3.7%), Italy (2.8%) and Germany, with 1.9%. The remaining 26.5% is distributed between other countries.
Clients
If we take a close look at these exporters' main clients, the Netherlands covers 34.9% of Germany's imports, 15.7% of the United Kingdom's, 7.6% of Belgium's, 3.8% of Sweden's and 3.6% of France's. Only 1.4% of its exports are shipped to Spain.
For its part, Spain covers 24.4% of Germany's fruit and vegetable needs, while 16.8% is exported to France, 15.8% to the United Kingdom, 11.9% to the Netherlands and 5.4% to Italy.
Mexico supplies 92.9% of the United State's horticultural imports, 2% of Canada's, 0.9% of Guatemala's, 0.7% of Algeria's, 0.6% of Turkey's and around 0.5% of Spain's.
Finally, the United States covers 66.2% of Canada's horticultural imports, 7.1% of Japan's, 7.1% of Mexico's, 2.6% of the United Kingdom's and 0.7% of Spain fruit and vegetable imports, including citrus.
Source: hortoinfo
Meanwhile, China covers 17.8% of Japan's fruit and vegetable imports, 8% of Indonesia's, 7.2% of Vietnam's, 6.8% of Malaysia's and 6.6% of South Korea's. Only 0.6% of its horticultural exports are shipped to Spain.
Mexico supplies 92.9% of the United State's horticultural imports, 2% of Canada's, 0.9% of Guatemala's, 0.7% of Algeria's, 0.6% of Turkey's and around 0.5% of Spain's.
Finally, the United States covers 66.2% of Canada's horticultural imports, 7.1% of Japan's, 7.1% of Mexico's, 2.6% of the United Kingdom's and 0.7% of Spain fruit and vegetable imports, including citrus.
Source: hortoinfo