Fepex says the knock-on effect of the conflict for the industry will be seen in rising fuel and fertiliser costs
As conflict continues in the Middle East, Spanish fresh produce association Fepex has highlighted the country’s export figures to some of the region’s markets.
Spain’s exports to Persian Gulf countries – Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Iran, and Iraq – totalled 38,715 tonnes in 2025, valued at €69mn, representing 0.3 per cent of the country’s total exports.
”Therefore, the Middle East conflict has a very limited impact on Spanish exports of fresh fruits and vegetables,” Fepex noted.
”However, rising costs, especially for diesel and fertilisers, indirectly affect the sector.”
The two main destinations for Spanish fruit and vegetable exports in the region last year were Saudi Arabia, with 21,113 tonnes valued at €33.9mn, and the UAE, with 13,621 tonnes valued at €27.1mn, according to data from the Department of Customs and Special Taxes, processed by Fepex.
Oranges, persimmons, pears, plums, and mandarins were the most-exported products from Spain to Saudi Arabia, while apples and oranges were the leading exports to the UAE.
Fruit and vegetable exports to Bahrain amounted to 174 tonnes last year, 970 tonnes were sent to Kuwait, 1,112 tonnes to Oman, and 1,725 tonnes were shipped to Qatar.
“For Fepex, although the Persian Gulf countries represent a very small market for the fruit and vegetable export sector, the conflict has an indirect impact due to the increased cost of inputs, especially oil and fertilisers, as well as the uncertainty inherent in any conflict,” Fepex concluded.
”There has also been an increase in maritime transport costs, with freight rates doubling on some routes.”
