Follow us on Facebook

Walaw

Agriculture

Morocco's Fruitful Trade: Dominating Spain's Non-EU Fresh Produce Imports

Tuesday 16 April 2024 - 11:55

Zoom

Morocco continues to strengthen its position as the primary non-European Union exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables to Spain, with its dominance in the market showing remarkable growth. Recent trade statistics reveal that in January 2024 alone, Morocco's exports of fresh produce to Spain surged by an impressive 45% compared to the same period last year, reaching a staggering €134 million.

These figures, meticulously compiled by the Spanish Department of Customs and Special Taxes and analyzed by the Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers, and Live Plants (FEPEX), vividly illustrate Morocco's increasing importance in meeting Spain's demand for fresh, non-EU agricultural products.

In January 2024, a significant 67% of Spain's total fruit and vegetable imports, valued at €261 million, originated from non-EU countries, while imports from fellow EU member states accounted for €129 million. This pattern mirrors previous years, highlighting Spain's dependence on external suppliers to fulfill its domestic need for fresh produce.

Overall, Spain's total imports of fruits and vegetables in January 2024 amounted to an impressive €390 million, representing a remarkable 26% increase compared to the same month in 2023, showcasing the nation's growing appetite for these essential agricultural commodities.

In terms of volume, the dominance of non-EU suppliers is equally evident. Purchases from non-EU countries constituted a significant 48% of the total, totaling 164,860 tons, while imports from other EU member states reached 180,335 tons, representing 52% of the total. Combined, Spain imported a substantial 345,195 tons of fresh produce, marking an 11% increase from January 2023.

Morocco's ascendancy as Spain's primary non-EU supplier is undeniable. In January 2024, Spain's imports from the North African nation surged to €134 million, a remarkable 45% increase compared to the same month in 2023. The volume of purchases from Morocco amounted to a substantial 57,534 tons, a remarkable 31% increase, firmly establishing its role as a critical partner in ensuring Spain's food security.

While Morocco's dominance in the non-EU sphere is clear, France maintains its position as the leading EU supplier to the Spanish market. In January 2024, Spain imported 110,448 tons of French fruits and vegetables, an 11% increase, with a value of €50 million, marking a 15% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.

The data analyzed by FEPEX underscores Morocco's growing importance as a key supplier of fresh produce to the Spanish market and its significant contribution to the overall growth of Spain's fruit and vegetable imports. This trend aligns with Morocco's broader role as a leading supplier to the European Union, solidifying its position as a crucial trade partner in the agricultural sector.