The fall in first-quarter volume was largely driven by declines in some of Spain’s main exported fruits, particularly citrus and strawberries. The sharpest drops were recorded in mandarins, down by 45,718 tonnes, and oranges, which fell by 45,061 tonnes. Strawberry exports also declined, falling by 16,084 tonnes, from 109,982 tonnes in the first quarter of 2025 to 93,989 tonnes in the same period this year, a 15% decrease. This reduction was linked to the successive storms that affected Huelva between December and February.
These declines explain a significant part of the adjustment in total volume, in a context in which fruit exports fell by 4.5% to 1.4 million tonnes.
By contrast, vegetables showed a more dynamic performance in the first quarter, with export volumes increasing by 2% to 1.9 million tonnes, helping to cushion the overall decline.
Overall, the quarter reflects a change in the composition of Spain’s export offer, with a lower share of fruit and a stronger role for vegetables, according to FEPEX.
Export value rises by 8%
In value terms, Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable exports grew by 8% in the first quarter of the year, reaching €6.14 billion. This increase was mainly supported by the performance of vegetables, which rose by 13% to €3.52 billion, while fruit recorded a more moderate increase of 1%, totalling €2.619 billion.
Among the products contributing most to the rise in value were cucumber, up by €104.786 million, representing a 24% increase to €537 million; courgette, which grew by 49% to €251 million; and pepper, up 10% to €787 million. Among fruits, lemon stood out with a 35% increase, reaching €287 million.
RELATED NEWS: South Africa forecasts 209m-carton citrus export crop for 2026
On the other hand, strawberries recorded a 9.5% decline in export value, totalling €418 million.
Andalusia and Murcia gain weight
From a regional perspective, export performance shows a greater relative weight of Andalusia and Murcia, compared with a reduction in volume from the Valencian Community.
In the first quarter of 2026, Andalusia remained Spain’s leading export region, with 1.2 million tonnes, an increase of 39,934 tonnes, or 3.3%. Murcia also recorded significant growth, reaching 688,332 tonnes after increasing by 45,908 tonnes, or 7%.
By contrast, the Valencian Community reduced its exports by 10%, totalling 1 million tonnes, according to data from the Department of Customs and Excise processed by FEPEX and published yesterday through the Monthly Foreign Trade Report, prepared by the State Secretariat for Trade, under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise.
