According to the latest data updated by the Department of Customs and Special Taxes, between January and October 2019, Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable exports stood at 1.2 million tons and 1,427 million euro, reflecting a 6% growth in volume and a stabilization of the value over the same period of the previous year. The United Kingdom continues to be the third biggest market for the Spanish sector. In 2020, when the UK leaves the EU, the Commission and the British Government will negotiate the new commercial relationship.
The Spanish export of fresh fruits and vegetables to the United Kingdom grew in volume in all the months of the analyzed period. The highest growth took place in January, with 166,343 tons exported (+9%), May, with 148,052 tons (+10%), and July with 115,816 tons (+13%). Meanwhile, the value grew in the first three months of the year and then fell, reflecting the pressure on prices observed in the whole Community market.
Up to October 2019, Spain exported 48,232 tons of fruits. Citrus and table grape exports stood out with volumes that surpassed the 10,000 tons. Other outstanding products were nectarines with 5,505 tons, plums with 1,992 tons, apples with 1,938 tons, peaches with 1,905 tons, and persimmon with 1,616 tons. In the same period, the country exported 45,078 tons of vegetables, 7,390 of which corresponded to lettuce, 7,107 to onion, 6,534 to cucumber, 5,312 to pepper and 5,062 to tomato.
Both the monthly distribution of exports, with significant volumes throughout the year, and the diversity of fruits and vegetables sold in the United Kingdom reflect the importance of this market for the Spanish sector. That's why FEPEX considers that the new trade agreement that the European Commission and the United Kingdom achieve after the Brexit, which will be negotiated throughout this year, is of the utmost importance. The priority for the fruit and vegetable sector is to maintain the commercial flow and fluidity of shipments.
Source: fepex.es