The fall in value of exports of fresh produce from the Spanish region of Murcia was steeper in 2004 than at almost any other time previously, industry bosses warn.
According to figures released by the region's exporters' association Proexport, values fell by nine per cent on the previous year to €1.313 billion although volumes were up by three per cent on 2003 to almost two million tonnes.
Murcia is a key production region in Spain second behind Almeria in exports of salads and vegetables and third in exports of fruit.
"It has been many years since we last saw such a big drop in the value of fresh produce exports from Murcia," said Miguel Durán Granados, president of Proexport. "This clearly shows a loss of profitability in the majority of crops and the need to adopt measures that will us to regain that profitability."
Average prices per kilo fell to €0.75 for vegetables and salads from €0.87 the previous year and €0.60 from €0.66 for fruit.
Lettuce is the region's biggest volume export accounting for almost a quarter of all exports. In 2004, volumes rose by 23 per cent while values declined by eight per cent. The only gains were registered by celery which rose by 25 per cent in volume and seven per cent in value. And capsicum which enjoyed a five per cent hike in values.
"We must concentrate the scarce economic resources we have available in continuing to innovate - through research and development - to improve quality and improve our production and marketing structures," said Durán.
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