According to figures released by exporters representative body Fepex, exports were down by 0.4 per cent to 4.8million tonnes, but values rose by 11 per cent to euro4,025m.

This stagnation in volumes confirms a four-year old trend But closer examination reveals an 8.5 per cent decline in salad and vegetable sendings largely due to a drop in tomato exports, which were down 18 per cent in volume, a 21 per cent decline in cucumber sendings and a three per cent drop in lettuce exports.

However, values rose in this sector rose by nine per cent to euro1.92m.

Meanwhile, the performance of fruit exports was satisfying in both volume and value terms: sendings rose by seven per cent in volume and 13 per cent in value.

The EU still dominates the export picture for Spain taking 91 per cent of all sendings with Germany, France and the UK the main destinations.