Fepex has emphasised the strategic value of Switzerland to Spain’s fresh produce sector following new EU agreement
In the wake of the European Commission’s new agreement to expand bilateral relations with Switzerland, Fepex has highlighted the importance of the Swiss market to Spain’s fresh produce exports.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and the president of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin signed a comprehensive package of agreements this week aimed at deepening and expanding relations.
Switzerland is the second-largest non-EU market for Spanish fruit and vegetable exports after the UK, with projections showing a value of €410mn for 2025.
Spain’s fresh fruit and vegetable exports to Switzerland have stabilised at around 185,000 tonnes in recent years, Fepex noted.
In 2025, total exports reached 185,433 tonnes, slightly lower than the 196,865 tonnes exported in 2024, but above the 181,371 tonnes recorded in 2023, according to data from the Department of Customs and Special Taxes, processed by Fepex.
In terms of value, Spanish fresh produce sales in Switzerland are increasing.
In 2025, export value reached €420mn, 4 per cent higher than in 2024 and 30 per cent more than five years ago, when it totalled €314mn.
Overall Spanish exports to non-EU countries for 2025 are projected to reach 1.6mn tonnes, valued at €2.939bn, representing 14 per cent of Spain’s total exports.
”The agreements signed yesterday between the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the president of Switzerland, Guy Parmelin, are intended to deepen and broaden the bilateral relationship through a modernised framework covering areas ranging from trade and transport to health and energy,” Fepex pointed out.
”The package includes updates to four existing agreements that already grant Switzerland access to the EU single market, relating to air transport, land transport, the free movement of people, and the mutual recognition of conformity assessments.
”Furthermore, it introduces new agreements, including one on food safety, which will establish a common food safety area encompassing all dimensions of the food chain, according to the official statement from the European Commission,” it added.
