Oranges lead fruit export growth with an 18 per cent volume increase, while cucumber values surge by 22 per cent despite relatively flat vegetable volumes
Spain’s fruit and vegetable exports increased in both volume and value terms through the first quarter of 2025 (Q1).
Overall fresh produce exports climbed 2 per cent in volume and 10 per cent in value year-on-year, up to 4.6mn tonnes and €7.703bn respectively.
According to data from the Department of Customs and Excise, processed by Fepex, vegetable exports remained fairly flat, down 0.3 per cent to 2.5mn tonnes.
Vegetable value, however, grew by 10 per cent, totalling €4.069bn.
Of the main vegetables exported, lettuce, cabbage, and cucumbers posted positive performances in both volume and value, while peppers and tomatoes decreased in volume and improved in value.
Shipments of lettuce reached 400,660 tonnes (up 3 per cent) and €532mn (up 15 per cent); cabbage exports totalled 310,813 tonnes (up 3 per cent) and €468mn (up 7 per cent), and cucumber sendings came to 319,522 tonnes (up 4 per cent) and €503mn (up 22 per cent).
Pepper exports in the first four months of the year rose to 370,312 tonnes (down 3 per cent) and €898mn (up 17 per cent), while tomato exports fell 13 per cent in volume to 318,803 tonnes and increased in value by 2 per cent, totalling €593mn.
Fruit exports reached 2mn tonnes (up 4 per cent) and €3.633mn (up 10 per cent), driven by oranges, which – in addition to being the most exported fruit in the period analysed – saw export growth of 18 per cent in volume and 13 per cent in value to 700,338 tonnes and €647mn respectively.
Orange exports were followed by mandarins and lemons, as well as soft fruit, with strawberries leading the way.
Strawberry exports came in at 199,136 tonnes, the same volume as the opening quarter of 2024, at a value of €699mn (up 10 per cent).
