Spanish exports slumped in the first quarter of the year by 13 per cent on last year’s figure as producers and exporters come to terms with the results of one of their toughest seasons. According to figures released by national producer-exporters’ federation Fepex, fresh produce export volumes were down while values were up just one per cent. The frosts and low temperatures across producing areas were to blame, said Fepex.
Citrus was worst hit as volumes and values fell by 12 per cent while strawberry exports in the period were 14 per cent down in volume and 23 per cent up in value on the same period in 2004.
Vegetable and salad volumes fell by 13 per cent although values climbed in a supply-and-demand market by nine per cent.
The lemon sector in Spain is particularly despondent following announcements from sector body Ailimpo that exports were 40 per cent down in 2004-05 on the previous season.
The main Fino lemon season ended on April 30 leaving Spanish senders pointing at Turkey as the main cause of their woes. Low priced lemons from the non-EU country have wreaked havoc for the Spanish on traditionally strong markets for them. And for the first time Turkey overtook Spain as market leader sending 333,000 tonnes abroad compared to the Spanish total 307,000t, although Spain still dominates sendings to EU member states.
The UK, Germany and Belgium all maintained their uptake of Spanish lemons but the other 22 member states saw Spanish market share decline in favour of Turkey.
Ailimpo told its members that regaining lost market share and opening new export markets must now become priorities for the beleaguered sector.
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