Fermin Sanchez

Fermín Sánchez, president of Spanish grower-exporter Gruventa, has hailed the progress made by Murcia’s fresh produce on export markets in the past year and called on the region to redouble its efforts to promote the industry’s international expansion.

Responding to the latest figures showing that fruit and vegetable exports had risen by 13.5 per cent during 2013, Sánchez said this demonstrated the success of strategies to open up new export markets for Murcian produce.

“It is vital for companies to work together to consolidate supplies and promote their offer in order to ensure the ongoing profitability and competitiveness of Murcia’s fresh produce industry,” he said.

Around €2.266bn worth of fruits and vegetables from Murcia were sold overseas in 2013, making the region Spain’s biggest fresh produce exporter with 28 per cent of total export sales.