early potatoes

Potatoes were the most imported fresh product in Spain during January-February

Spain's fresh fruit and vegetable imports made 'strong progess' in the first two months of the year, growing in both volume and value terms on the same period of 2018.

According to the latest data from the General Directorate of Customs, fresh produce imports grew 10 per cent in volume to 569,692 tonnes, with value up 18.5 per cent to €507.1m.

Vegetable imports grew 6 per cent in volume and 32 per cent in value, coming to 316,804 tonnes and €194m respectively.

Particular growth was seen in potatoes, with 195,350 tonnes (+5 per cent) and €68m (+104 per cent), and tomatoes with 25,110 tonnes (+46 per cent) and €23m (+36 per cent).

For fruit, imports grew by 15 per cent in volume and 11 per cent in value, reaching 252,888 tonnes and €312.8m, with bananas at 65,595 tonnes (+35 per cent) and apples at 33,036 tonnes (+23 per cent) leading by volume.

The highest value fruit product was raspberries at €57m (+21 per cent), coming mostly from Morocco.