Russia supermarket

Spain saw an increase in fresh fruit and vegetable trading with third countries through April when compared with the same period a year earlier.

Figures collected by the Department of Customs and Excise and published by Fepex showed that exports to non-EU countries increased 4 per cent year-on-year to 352,262 tonnes, while imports from third countries climbed 11 per cent to 338,245 tonnes.

Russia remains the main destination for Spanish exports outside the EU, with 29,271 tonnes in the first quarter of 2014, up 7 per cent.

Despite what Fepex called a 'positive evolution' of Spanish shipments heading outside of the EU, volumes are still relatively low, representing only 8 per cent of total exports;

The main exporters to Spain from outside the EU were Morocco, Costa Rica and Brazil, Fepex reported.