Doha – According to data from the Spanish Department of Customs and Special Taxes, processed by the Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Live Plants (FEPEX), Morocco continues to strengthen its position as the leading non-EU supplier of fruits and vegetables to the Spanish market.
In January 2024, Spain’s imports of fruits and vegetables from non-EU countries accounted for 67% of the total, amounting to €261 million, while imports from EU countries totaled €129 million.
These percentages remain very similar to those observed in the same month of previous years. Overall, Spain’s total imports of fruits and vegetables in January 2024 reached €390 million, a 26% increase compared to January 2023.
In terms of volume, Spain’s imports from non-EU countries and EU member states also maintained percentages similar to previous months.
Purchases from non-EU countries represented 48% of the total in January 2024, amounting to 164,860 tons, while imports from other EU member states reached 180,335 tons, accounting for 52% of the total. The total volume of imports stood at 345,195 tons, an 11% increase compared to January 2023.
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In particular, Morocco has solidified its role as the primary non-EU supplier to the Spanish market. In January 2024, Spain imported €134 million worth of fruits and vegetables from Morocco, a 45% increase compared to January 2023. The volume of purchases from Morocco amounted to 57,534 tons, a 31% increase.
On the other hand, France remains the leading EU supplier to the Spanish market, with Spain importing 110,448 tons of French fruits and vegetables in January 2024, an 11% increase. The value of these imports reached €50 million, a 15% increase compared to the same month in the previous year.
The data processed by FEPEX highlights the growing importance of Morocco as a key supplier of fresh produce to the Spanish market, as well as its significant contribution to the overall growth of Spain’s fruit and vegetable imports.
This trend is consistent with the broader picture of Morocco’s role as a leading supplier to the European Union. In February 2024, FEPEX reported that from January to September 2023, Morocco’s exports of fresh produce to the EU totaled €1.83 billion, a 6% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
During this nine-month period, Morocco exported 1.04 million tons of fruits and vegetables to the EU, further cementing its position as a crucial trade partner in the agricultural sector.
