Unfavorable weather conditions hit production in Spain and lead to a drop in the volume and value of exports in July.
Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable exports fell 20% in volume through July, according to data from the country’s Customs and Special Taxes Department.
Global volumes totaled 804,327 tons, while the value of fresh products amounted to 859.2 million euros, a decrease of 14%, an article by Fruitnet.
July’s decline was seen in the fruit and vegetable categories, Fepex reported. Fruit exports for the month amounted to 619,165 tonnes in volume and €639 million in value, down 17% and 13% respectively from 2021.
Notable declines were observed for summer fruits, such as stone fruits and melon. Sales of peaches thus amounted to 57,362 tonnes (down 30%) and to 87 million euros in value (down 11%), while nectarines fell to 58,463 tonnes in volume (in down 31%) and 89 million euros (down 18%).
Melon exports also fell to 99,959 tonnes (down 15%) for a value of €79 million (down 3%).
For vegetables, exports totaled 185,162 tons, or 28% less than in July 2021, for a value of 220 million euros, or 17% less.
Pepper exports fell 22% in volume to 24,323 tons, while the value fell 6% to 44 million euros.
Other declining products include tomatoes with 15,757 tonnes (down 30%) and €27.1 million in value (down 26%), and lettuce with 13,261 tonnes (down 26%). 27%) and 17.5 million euros in value (down 10.5%).
Still according to the same source: “The sharp decline in exports in July, which also occurred in June, was largely due to bad weather, which caused a notable drop in various productions such as stone fruit, also affecting vegetables,” Fepex said.
“On the other hand, according to Fepex, this is due to competition, intra-community since the major European markets favor their local production, and also extra-community. »
For the period from January to July, Spanish fruit and vegetable exports amounted to 7.6 million tonnes, 7% less than the same period last year, reaching a value of 10.1 million euros, or 2% more.