Spanish producer-exporters’ federation Fepex has reported mixed results for fresh produce export values in the first four months of 2008 in what is proving a very challenging year for the sector.
Average prices fell for all horticultural and fresh produce exports with the exception of citrus, strawberries and ornamentals. Earnings fell for all vegetables and salads with the most notable declines in the major volume lines: tomato (-14 per cent), lettuce (-28 per cent), capsicum (-16 per cent) and cucumber (-9 per cent).
Average prices for fruit sendings were up 26 per cent thanks mainly to a 26 per cent rise in the value of total citrus exports which Fepex attributes to a decline in volume this season - some 23 per cent down on the same period in 2007 at 1.4 million tonnes. Strawberry prices were also strong and registered an 11.5 per cent increase in total export earnings for the first four months of 2008. But raspberries have not fared as well with a decline of 11 per cent in export earnings and pear sendings have fallen 21 per cent in value on 2007.
Total fruit and vegetable export volumes declined by 2.5 per cent on the first four months of last year although values were up by one per cent. “The decline in average prices could have a very negative impact on the ability of the sector to finance the processes necessary to improve their farms and marketing operations that are so vital to maintain their competitiveness in EU markets,” said a Fepex spokeswoman.
Meanwhile, the value of ornamentals exports reached €106 million (£84.4m) during the period - a 10 per cent increase on 2007. Rose and carnation sendings were particularly strong reaching levels unparalleled since 2000. And the indoor pot-plant sector, which has seen steady growth year-on-year throughout the decade, continued this trend with values rising by 14 per cent year on year to €17.5m.
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