The UK spent more on fresh produce from Spain during the first nine months of this year than it did during the same period in 2011, according to figures from the Spanish federation of producer-exporters.

Data released by Fepex for the period January to September 2012 shows sendings rose in value by two per cent year on year to reach €871 million.

Germany, France and the Netherlands also all spent more on Spanish fresh produce and as a result the Mediterranean country exported in total five per cent more in volume terms and made 8.5 per cent more in value.

Tomatoes and capsicum were the strongest performers in the vegetables and salads category, with increased values of 13 per cent and three per cent respectively.

Spanish senders enjoyed a particularly strong September, according to the figures, with the value of fruit exports up 12 per cent year on year at €4.04bn and volume nine per cent higher at 4.8m tonnes.

Citrus continued to be the biggest fruit export earner, followed by strawberries, nectarines and peaches.

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