Spain’s fruit and vegetable exports increased by 13 per cent to approximately €11bn in 2013, according to fresh produce federation Fepex. Export volumes rose by 6.5 per cent to 12m tonnes.
The figures were released at a meeting held yesterday in Madrid of the 29 regional and sectorial associations that make up Fepex, where the federation also approved its plan of action for 2014.
Topping the agenda are the opening of new export markets, securing new phytosanitary agreements with third countries and dealing with the impact of proposed reforms to the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Fepex said the proposed CAP changes would have serious implications for Spain and other European countries as many producers would no longer receive direct payments. Spain is the second biggest beneficiary of CAP payments behind France.
