Spanish household consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables fell 2.4 per cent in the first seven months of 2026
Household consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables in Spain fell to 3.92bn kg between January and July 2026, a 2.4 per cent decrease compared with the same period of 2025.
That is according to the latest data from the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food’s Food Consumption Panel, processed by Fepex.
In terms of value, expenditure also declined, falling by 0.8 per cent to just over €9bn euros.
By category, the consumption of fresh vegetables stood at 1.3bn kg for the first seven months, representing a 2.5 per cent decline on the previous year.
Additionally, 471mn kg of fresh potatoes were consumed through the period in question, dropping 0.7 per cent.
Among the main vegetable categories, tomato consumption fell by 2 per cent to 307mn kg; onions dropped 1 per cent 160mn kg; pepper consumption declined 1 per cent to 108mn kg; and lettuce, escarole, and endives fell 4 per cent to 88mn kg.
There were also ”significant declines” in the consumption of green beans (down 6 per cent) and cabbages (down 8 per cent), Fepex reported.
For fresh fruit, Spanish consumption reached 2.14bn kg, a 2.8 per cent decrease from the 2.2bn kg recorded during the same period of 2025.
Fepex noted declines in oranges (down 8 per cent to 333mn kg), mandarins (down 7 per cent to 130mn kg), bananas (down 5 per cent to 347mn kg) and apples (down 9 per cent to 204mn kg.
Pear consumption decreased by 2 per cent, reaching 81mn kg, while strawberry consumption fell 9 per cent to 99mn kg.
Some products did show positive consumption trends, however.
Watermelon consumption grew 4 per cent to 249mn kg; melons rose 2 per cent to 144mn kg; peaches climbed 3 per cent, and apricots jumped 13 per cent.
Also notable, Fepex said, were increases for cherries (up 9 per cent) and grapes (up 13 per cent).
In terms of value, trends varied by major product category.
For fresh vegetables, the value of consumption rose 2 per cent to €3.43bn, while the value of fresh potatoes dropped 7 per cent to €553mn.
Fresh fruit consumption value also declined, down 2 per cent to €5.08bn.
In terms of aggregate per capita, fresh produce consumption stood at 145kg per person.
”The trend in household consumption is a cause for concern; therefore, Fepex considers it a priority to strengthen promotional efforts aimed at boosting the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables among the general public,” the association stated.
”To this end, the Federation has recently become a partner of the ’5 a Day’ (’5 al día’) association, reinforcing the fruit and vegetable sector’s commitment to promoting healthy eating and increasing the presence of fruits and vegetables in the daily diet.”
