Data from Fepex shows Spain’s fresh produce export value climbed to €11.6bn in H1 2026, with Germany, France, and the UK the country’s top customers
The EU and the UK were the leading destinations for Spain’s fruit and vegetable exports in the first half of the year (H1).
Germany, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Italy remained the primary markets for Spanish fresh produce in H1, according to data from the Department of Customs and Special Taxes, processed by Fepex.
Total export volume saw a slight decline of 0.6 per cent year-on-year to 6.5mn tonnes, while export value grew 6 per cent to €11.6bn.
The EU accounted for 84 per cent of fruit and vegetable sales by volume, or 5.5mn tonnes, and 82 per cent by value equal to €9.55bn.
Germany solidified its position as the leading customer for Spanish fruit and vegetables, importing 1.9mn tonnes in the first half of the year, a 0.9 per cent increase.
In terms of value, German sales rose by 6.3 per cent to €3.47bn, Fepex reported.
France remained the second-largest export destination with 1.14mn tonnes sold, down 3.5 per cent on H1 2025, although export value increased 4.7 per cent to €1.81bn.
A similar trend was observed in the Netherlands, where volume fell by 3.4 per cent to 498,325 tonnes, but revenue grew 5.6 per cent to €944mn.
Among the major EU markets, Italy stood out with a 6.9 per cent increase in volume and an 11.3 per cent rise in value, up to 358,912 tonnes and €579mn respectively.
Portugal also showed dual growth, up 3.8 per cent in volume and 5.9 per cent in value to 435,461 tonnes and €490mn.
There was a drop in volumes sold to Poland, down 3.7 per cent in volume to 290,325 tonnes, although value climbed 8 per cent to €521mn.
Outside of the EU, the UK stood as the leading destination for Spain’s fruit and vegetable exports, bringing in 717,444 tonnes (down 3 per cent) a value of €1.41bn (up 2.1 per cent).
Switzerland ranked second among non-EU European destinations, with 105,901 tonnes imported (down 4 per cent) at a value of €290mn (up 8.9 per cent).
Norway also reduced its imports from Spain, Fepex said, with a 6.1 per cent decrease in volume and a 5.7 per cent drop in value.
Outside Europe, non-European markets continue to account for a small share of Spain’s export trade.
Fresh produce exports to these markets reached 151,111 tonnes in the first half of 2026, an 18 per cent increase, at a value of €198.4mn euros, up 5 per cent.
Despite this positive trend, non-European markets represent just a small slice of the export pie, making up just 2.3 per cent of total export volume and 1.7 per cent of the value.
Fepex highlighted Canada and Saudi Arabia among the key non-European destinations.
Canada accounted for 7,839 tonnes and €14.7mn of exports, while Saudi Arabia brought in 8,872 tonnes for a value of €14.6mn.
”An analysis by destination confirms that Europe remains the natural market for Spanish fruit and vegetables,” Fepex confirmed.
”Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, and Poland continue to be the main buyers, accounting for a significant share of Spanish exports.
”At the same time, progress in third-country markets has been uneven, and these markets continue to represent a very small share compared to European destinations, highlighting the strategic importance of maintaining the sector’s competitiveness in its traditional markets,” it added.
