Citrus and strawberries led the decline in fruit exports during Q1, with storms in Huelva affecting production, while vegetables performed strongly
Spanish fruit and vegetable exports fell 1 per cent in volume during the opening quarter of 2026 (Q1), totalling 3.4mn tonnes.
This decline was due to a 4.5 per cent drop in fruit exports year-on-year to 1.4mn tonnes, and came despite an increase in vegetable exports of 2 per cent, according to data from the Department of Customs and Special Taxes, processed by Fepex.
Some of the country’s main fruit categories saw reduced exports, notably citrus and strawberries.
The largest drops were in mandarins, with 45,718 tonnes fewer exported, and oranges, which saw a decrease of 45,061 tonnes on the same period of 2025.
Strawberry exports also declined, falling 15 per cent from 109,982 tonnes in the corresponding period of 2025 to 93,989 tonnes.
This was attributed to successive storms that affected Huelva from December to February.
By contrast, vegetables enjoyed a stronger performance in the first quarter of this year, with a 2 per cent increase in export volumes to 1.9mn tonnes.
”Overall, the quarter reflects a change in the composition of exported products, with a smaller share of fruit and a greater prominence of the horticultural segment,” Fepex stated.
In value terms, Spain’s fresh produce exports grew 8 per cent in the January-March period, coming in at €6.14bn.
This growth was primarily driven by the performance of the vegetable sector, which increased by 13 per cent to €3.52bn, while fruit exports saw a more moderate increase of 1 per cent to €2.619bn.
Among the products that contributed most to the overall value increase were cucumbers with growth of 24 per cent to €537mn; courgettes, which climbed 49 per cent to €251mn; and peppers, with a 10 per cent rise in value to €787mn.
In the fruit segment, lemons stood out with 35 per cent year-on-year value growth to €287mn, Fepex reported.
Much like in volume terms, strawberries stood out when it came to declining export value, down 9.5 per cent to €418mn.
