The contact group from Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal met in Santarém, Portugal, on Monday and Tuesday to analyze the data from the 2022/2023 campaign and forecasts for the current campaign.
The meeting, organized by the National Federation of Producers' Organisations of Portugal (FNOP) in collaboration with the Portuguese administration, addressed the proposal for a regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products; one of the issues that cause great concern among EU pome fruit producers and the Community's fruit and vegetable sector in general. The proposal, which was presented by the European Commission in June last year, foresees a 50% reduction in the use of pesticides and a 20% reduction in the use of fertilizers by 2030, without a comprehensive assessment of the consequences on the Community's productive fabric.
Spain is both an exporter and importer of apples and pears. In 2022, the country exported 106,109 tons of apples, i.e. 4% less than the previous year, according to data from the Department of Customs and Excise, processed by FEPEX, for a value of 90.8 million euro (-1.3%). Pear exports in 2022 stood at 93,716 tons, 23% less than in 2021, for a value of 77 million euro (-27%).
In that same year, Spain imported 195,524 tons of apples, i.e. 6% more than in 2021, for a value of 150 million euro (-4%), and 63,341 tons of pears, 5% less than in 2021, worth 57 million euro (-11%).
Source: fepex.es