The garlic export business doubled in Córdoba between January and November 2016, according to information published by the Ministry of Agriculture. These sales generated 53 million Euro, which represented an increase of almost 109% and also accounted for 15% of the national total.
The Andalusian Government noted that the value of Cordoba's horticultural exports exceeded 122 million Euro during the same period (25% more than a year earlier), with more than 95,000 tonnes sold outside Spain (+5%). The Andalusian ranking is led by Almeria, which shipped 2.3 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables to other countries worth € 2,120 million, practically half of the region's total.
Other products that stood out in Cordoba were oranges, with exports totalling 18 million Euro and a 13% increase; almonds, which suffered a significant 32% drop and generated 11 million Euro, and onions, whose sales also fell (by 7%) down to 7 million Euro. The development of the business was uneven in the main destinations, and while in Germany, which remains in the lead, there was a 19% drop between January and November, France recorded a notable increase, with horticultural exports from Cordoba growing by almost 48%. Also noteworthy were the cases of Italy, with a 32% increase, and Portugal, which is the second most important market and has registered a 10% growth.
The province has about 1,700 hectares and produces some 18,600 tonnes of garlic, making it the region's largest producer, accounting for 41% of the total volume. Meanwhile, when it comes to citrus, Cordoba has lost the third position to Almeria, as it has estimated its production in the 2016-2017 campaign at more than 221,700 tonnes; a 3% drop.
A total of 95 companies export fruits and vegetables from Cordoba. In Andalusia, there are 1,155, which exported 3.7 million tonnes worth 4,355 million Euro between January and November.
