Fruit and vegetable imports grew 6 per cent in volume and 16 per cent in value during the first four months of 2024

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Spain’s fresh fruit and vegetable imports grew by 6 per cent in volume and 16 per cent in value through the opening four months of the year, when compared with the same period of 2023.

Data from the Department of Customs and Special Taxes of the Tax Agency, processed by Fepex, showed that import volume stood at 1.5m tonnes with value at €1.8bn.

The number showed that the upward trend in imports seen in recent years had been maintained, Fepex said.

Vegetable imports from January to April 2024 totalled 840,842 tonnes, showing year-on-year growth of 9 per cent, while value increased17 per cent to €641.9m.

Potatoes accounted for 65 per cent of imported vegetable volumes and 41 per cent of the value, standing at 548,000 tonnes and €264m respectively.

In the fruit segment, imports stood at 730,265 tonnes, 3.6 per cent more than in the first four months of 2023, at a value of €1.16bn, up 15 per cent.

Bananas were the most imported fruit category, followed by apples, avocados, oranges and pineapples.

”The statistics until April once again show the dynamism of the Spanish import market, in most fruits and vegetables, with particular concern about the growth in products that have deep roots in Spanish production,” Fepex stated.