The World Fresh Forum began on September 12th on the LIVEConnect platform, within the framework of Fruit Attraction. The first session analyzed the opportunities of the fruit and vegetable market in Saudi Arabia, a country to which Spain exported 50,155 tons of fruits and vegetables worth 56.5 million euros in 2021, becoming one of its most important non-European destinations.
Saudi Arabia is a leading importer of fruit and vegetables. According to Euromonitor data, the fruit and vegetable market in Saudi Arabia is worth $2 billion and ranks fourth in the Middle East and Africa region and twelfth in terms of growth.
72.4% of the country's fruit and vegetable products are imported. However, during the course of 2022, the country has taken a protectionist position, raising tariffs on the products it produces. That's why it increased tariffs by 10 to 15% on several vegetable and fruit imports, such as eggplant, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, watermelon, melon, and carrots.
This topic has been analyzed in the World Fresh Forum by the heads of the Administration, both MAPA and MINCOTUR, the Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in Riyadh, and the importers and distributors of Saudi Arabia that participated in the session.
Organized by ICEX Spain Export and Investments, IFEMA MADRID, and FEPEX, the Forum will host a total of four sessions between September 12 and 15 through the LIVEConnect platform; the sessions will focus on Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. These sessions will be reinforced by the inverse mission of buyers from all these markets that ICEX finances, which will make it possible for exhibitors to make more contacts with importers from all strategic markets.
Source: fepex.es