Spanish cherry exports have experienced strong growth duringthe first half of 2009, increasing by 131 per cent in the first six months ofthis year compared with the same period of 2008 to a total of 20,563 tonnes.
However, the value of these same shipments dropped by 13.6per cent year-on-year to just over €47.3m, according to data from the Spanishcustoms service’s central office.
National producer-exporter federation Fepex said a statementthat it is anticipating an overall export total of 28,000 tonnes for theseason, which is due to come to an end this month.
As with previous campaigns, the UK has continued to be thelargest single market for Spanish cherries, receiving 1,950 tonnes during thefirst half of the year, followed by France with 1,693 tonnes and Italy with1,530 tonnes.
Germany, Portugal and Belgium also received significant volumesof cherries during the six-month period.
A particular recovery in volumes has been recorded in theregion of Extremadura, whose cherry crop was badly affected by heavy rains lastyear.
According to Fepex, the region’s producers exported 8,255 tonnes ofcherries until June – a figure that was equivalent to an increase of 343 percent compared with the same stage a year before.
Volumesexported from the region of Valencia also rose by 178 per cent, while shipmentsfrom Catalonia and Aragon recovered substantially.
