Spain is among the top ten export destinations for Belgian fruit and vegetables. Spain has always been in sixth position when it comes to Belgian vegetable exports. That accounts for almost €26 million of exports or 43,500 tons. The main export products are tomatoes and leeks, both increasingly being sold in this southern European market.
Spain sells other Belgian vegetables too. Chicory, cabbage, celery, and lettuce record good volumes. Belgium's vegetable exports to Spain are increasing. The upward trend continued during the pandemic in 2020. For the first half of 2021, Belgian chicory exports to Spain did particularly well. The leeks exports, however, struggled somewhat.
For fruit, Spain is Belgium's seventh-largest export market, worth €22.5 million or 27,500 tons. The largest volumes of fruit going to Spain are pears, whose sales have also increased over the years. Belgian fruit exports to Spain were a little troublesome in 2020. But 2021's first six months showed very strong export figures, mainly due to pears and strawberries.
Spain is also in the top ten when it comes to Belgian potatoes. Potato exports to Spain have climbed over the years. That is mainly due to the rising processed potato sales. In 2020, Belgian potato exports to Spain accounted for €89 million or about 141,000 tons. Within that, processed potatoes took the largest share, followed by ware and then seed potatoes.
The Belgian fruit and vegetable sector were also well-represented at the recently held Fruit Attraction in Madrid. VLAM's 232 m² was larger than before. It allowed for exporters to meet their customers in comfort. VLAM has been organizing a group stand for the Belgian fruit and vegetable sector since Fruit Logistica 2020. And the still new VLAM stand drew considerable attention to Belgian products in Madrid.
Nine fruit and vegetable exporters shared the VLAM stand. They were BelExport, Calsa, Demargro, Devleeschouwer, the Devos Group, Fruithandel Wouters, Nicolaï Fruit, Rotom, and Vergro. Binst Breeding & Selection, De Aardappelhoeve, and Warnez represented the potato sector. The BFV, BelOrta, and Hoogstraten cooperatives also each had their own stand.
Exhibitors consider the trade show a great success. "It was good. There were perhaps fewer visitors, but more 'appropriate' ones, so the quality was good," they say. The next edition of Fruit Attraction has already been diarized - October 4 to 6, 2022.
Source: www.vlam.be