Spanish clementines

Clementines are Spain's largest export product to Canada

Spanish fresh produce exporters are confident of increasing their sales to Canada if, as expected, the European Commission completes negotiations for an EU-Canada trade agreement before the end of the year.

The prospective agreement, which would be the first such deal between the EU and a developed country, has received enthusiastic support from Spanish federation Fepex, who said it would be “very beneficial” for the country’s exporters.

In a statement, the Madrid-based organisation said the Spanish fresh produce sector viewed the trade deal as an opportunity to increase its business with Canada, which totaled €11.8m last year, up from €77.m in 2009.

The principal Spanish exports to Canada are clementines and peppers, which last year reached 4,099 tonnes and 3,499 tonnes respectively.