The choice of the two markets reflects very different commercial realities. While China remains a difficult market to access and still represents only a small share of Spanish fresh produce exports, shipments to the United Arab Emirates have fallen sharply in recent years, although the country continues to offer significant commercial and logistics potential.
China remains a limited market
In 2025, Spain exported just 1,784 tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables to China, representing around 0.01% of the country’s total fresh produce exports.
The situation is similar at EU level, with the 27 Member States exporting a combined 10,084 tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables to China.
One of the main obstacles to increasing trade lies in the procedures required to gain market access. China requires specific protocols for each product, with negotiations that can take four or five years to complete.
Nevertheless, progress has been made in recent years. Spain is currently authorised to export citrus fruit, peaches, plums, table grapes, persimmons, almonds and cherries to the Chinese market.
Protocols have also been approved for dried figs and pistachios, although the necessary administrative procedures still need to be completed before commercial shipments can begin.
China’s participation as a guest market at Fruit Attraction is expected to help strengthen direct links between companies on both sides and support further development of trade relations.
The UAE looks to regain momentum
The United Arab Emirates presents a different picture. For several years, it ranked among the main non-European destinations for Spanish fruit and vegetable exports.
In 2021, Spain shipped 40,441 tonnes to the market, with volumes remaining at a similar level in 2022. Since then, exports have fallen sharply, reaching 13,621 tonnes in 2025.
FEPEX attributes this decline to several factors, particularly the increase in general operating costs and logistics expenses. Maritime freight rates have risen considerably, in some cases doubling on certain routes, while geopolitical tensions have increased both transport costs and transit times.
These factors have reduced the competitiveness of Spanish produce in long-distance destinations.
Spanish quality and a gateway to other markets
Despite the decline in export volumes, Spanish fruit and vegetables continue to enjoy a positive image in the United Arab Emirates, associated with quality and competitive pricing.
The market offers opportunities both for domestic consumption and for the tourism sector, particularly in Dubai, which has become one of the world’s most visited destinations in recent years.
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Dubai’s role as a logistics and re-export hub serving the Gulf, Asia and Africa further increases its strategic importance for Spanish exporters.
By selecting the UAE as a guest import market, Fruit Attraction aims to help revitalise trade and recover part of the volume lost in recent years.
More than 2,500 companies in Madrid
The 18th edition of Fruit Attraction, organised by IFEMA Madrid and FEPEX, will take place from Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 October.
The event will bring together more than 2,500 companies across over 162,000 m² of exhibition space in ten halls at IFEMA Madrid.
Opening hours will be from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm on the first two days and until 4:00 pm on the final day.
With China and the United Arab Emirates as guest import markets, the organisers aim to reinforce Fruit Attraction’s international dimension and strengthen its position as one of the leading commercial platforms for the global fresh produce industry.
