Murcian grower-exporter association praises regional cooperation as key to defending a competitive and sustainable agricultural model
Key players from across Murcia and Almeria’s agricultural sector met in Pulpí on Friday for the general assembly of Murcian grower-exporter association Proexport. Under the slogan “United in the face of global challenges”, the event analysed the current state of fruit and vegetable production and exports, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation to defend the interests of the sector.
“Our agricultural campaigns shouldn’t be seen as a threat to each other, but as an opportunity. When Murcia and Almería work together, the sector wins. And when the sector unites, Spain wins in international markets,” said Mariano Zapata, president of Proexport.
He also described the maintenance and defence of the Tagus-Segura Water Transfer as a “structural necessity.” “Without water there is no agriculture, without agriculture there is no employment, and without employment there is no territorial cohesion,” he said. He also called for “clearer, more technical, more coherent regulations with greater legal certainty” on the Mar Menor Protection Law.
Zapata noted that the priority in 2026 should be to increase competitiveness, improve production conditions, and defend European producers more effectively in Brussels and in the markets.
During the assembly, Proexport presented Gold Badges to business leaders in recognition of their contribution to the sector. Awards went to José Méndez, founder of Grupo Agrícola Perichán, and the Pulpí Irrigation Community.
Murcia’s fresh fruit and vegetable exports have increased from €2.902bn in 2021 to €3.490bn in 2025, representing a cumulative growth of 20 per cent. Proexport’s member companies sell more than 1.7mn tonnes of produce in 50+ countries each year, supporting 28,000 direct jobs.
“But behind these figures there is something much more important: there are families, there are towns, there is innovation, there is social responsibility, and there is a way of producing fresh and healthy food that deserves to be defended with pride,” Zapata said.
