Spain's fruit and vegetable exports to non-EU countries fell by 6 per cent in January when compared with the same month last year, down to 96,731 tonnes, according to data gathered by the Department of Customs and Excise and reported by Fepex.
However, the country's imports from these countries actually grew 14 per cent year-on-year in volume terms, up to 72,877 tonnes.
Russia, the main non-EU destination for Spain's fresh produce exports, saw a 27 per cent decline to 20,323 tonnes, followed by Switzerland (down 2 per cent to 18,315 tonnes) and Norway (up 3 per cent to 12,685 tonnes).
In terms of imports, Spain took on 38 per cent more volume from it's leading non-EU supplier Morocco, at 23,707 tonnes, followed by 10,782 tonnes of produce from Brazil, growth of 11 per cent.
Fepex noted that the decline in exports to third countries, and growth in imports, was due to the 'increasing openness of the EU market', coupled with access difficulties for EU fruit and vegetables in third countries.
