Raspberry

New data published by Fepex has showed that Spain's fresh fruit and vegetable exports climbed in year-on-year value during the first quarter of 2016, despite a drop-off in volumes.

According to information from the Department of Customs and Excise, fresh produce exports brought in some €3.7bn, growth of 5.8 per cent on the same period last year.

Volumes actually fell 2.6 per cent on 2015, the report said, down to 3.6m tonnes, mainly the result of a drop in fruit exports of 7.8 per cent to 1.7m tonnes. Fresh fruit value climbed 9.5 per cent to €1.8bn.

Vegetables recorded growth in both volume (+2.7 per cent) and value (+2.4 per cent) to 1.9m tonnes and €1.86bn respectively.

By destination, 94 per cent of export volumes went to EU countries, just over 3.4m tonnes and €3.5bn, while shipments to non-EU countries fell by 11 per cent, coming to 203,679 tonnes.