February 18 2008, 08:44

Germany remains as Spain's top trading partner

"FRUIT LOGISTICA is increasingly becoming a prime meeting place for the Spanish fruit and vegetable industry. This importance is reflected in the many visits from ministers and high-ranking officials from the individual regions", says Manuel Uzcanga, who heads the agricultural products department of the Spanish foreign trade institute, ICEX. This year, 340 exhibitors are displaying a wide range of products from Spanish fruit and vegetable growers at FRUIT LOGISTICA. In 2007, the Iberian Peninsula exported fresh produce worth EUR 8 billion. Nearly 30% of the total production (EUR 1.6 billion) was shipped to markets in Germany. Other export countries include France, Great Britain and the Netherlands. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, lettuce, sweet peppers, melons, stone fruit and strawberries are the major export products from this incredibly sunny Mediterranean country. Last year, Spanish farmers produced 25 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables, equivalent to 1.7% of worldwide production. A total of 16 fruit and 13 vegetable varieties are sold with an EU certificate of origin.