In 2021, the Netherlands imported 4.7 million tons of fruits and vegetables from third countries, according to the latest Eurostat data. The country continues to be the largest Community importer, with a 7% increase in imports compared to 2020 and a 35% increase over the last six years, from 2016 to 2021.
However, Spanish fruit and vegetable imports from third countries have grown more. In 2021, they amounted to 1.6 million tons, i.e. 11% more than in 2020 and 50% more than in 2016, which, according to FEPEX, shows the strong import trend that the Spanish market has experienced in recent years.
Spain is the second Member State that buys the most non-EU fruit and vegetables (in 2016 it ranked fifth) followed by France, Belgium, and Italy.
All EU members increased their purchases from third countries, except Belgium. In 2021, France imported 1.5 million tons of fruits and vegetables from non-EU countries, i.e. 12% more than in 2020 and 26% more in the last six years. Italy imported 1.2 million tons, the same volume as in 2020 and 8% more than in 2016. Meanwhile, Belgium imported 1.4 million tons, i.e. 6% less than in the previous year and 9% less than in 2016, according to data from the EU Statistical Office, Eurostat, processed by FEPEX.
Source: fepex.es