Exports of Spanish fruit and vegetables to EU countries in 2015, grew on average by 5-7%. According to the Spanish Federation of producers and exporters of fruits and vegetables (Fepex), in 2015 they managed to collect a record harvest of figures approaching 13 million tons. Sales at the end of last year exceeded 13 billion Euro, an increase of 10%.
Director of Fepex, Jose Maria Posankos, notes that Russia's embargo had a very negative impact on the industry as the Russian market held about 7% of Spanish sales of crop production. However, this negative impact was balanced by an increase in exports to the European Union, to which Spain sold more than 90% of its production.
Up to September 2015 the increase in sales in the domestic market of the EU was due to the demand from major markets - Germany, the UK and France, where growth exceeded 15%. Posankos welcomed the fact that growth in 2015 was able to make a profit due to an increase in average selling prices.
Together with the most important products in terms of sales volumes - tomatoes, peppers, stonefruit, - the growth of export sales of blueberries, raspberries, currants, strawberries, blackberries also increased. 2015 saw a growing demand for berries.
Almost half of agricultural workers in Spain are involved in the fruit and vegetable sector.
