Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable exports consolidated a clear trend in the first four months of 2026: the sector is generating higher turnover in its main European markets, despite shipping less product.
According to data from the Customs and Excise Department, processed by FEPEX, Spanish fruit and vegetable sales to the European Union reached €6.596 billion between January and April, representing a 5.7% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
By contrast, export volume to the EU fell by 3.4%, standing at 3.7 million tonnes.
Europe accounts for almost all exports
The European Union remains the main strategic destination for the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector, accounting for 81% of total export value and 83% of total export volume.
If the analysis is extended to Europe as a whole, including non-EU markets such as the United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland, the sector’s dependence on the European market becomes even more evident. Europe as a whole represents 98% of the value of Spanish exports, with €7.973 billion, and 97% of the volume, with 4.36 million tonnes.
These figures confirm the decisive importance of the European market for Spanish fruit and vegetables, both due to its proximity and its capacity to absorb product and generate commercial value.
Germany and France continue to lead purchases
By country, Germany remains Spain’s leading customer within the European Union. Between January and April, Spanish fruit and vegetable exports to this market reached €2.408 billion, up 5%, despite a 2.5% decline in volume, to 1.2 million tonnes.
France remained the second-largest EU destination, with purchases worth €1.215 billion, also up 5% compared with the same period last year. However, the volume shipped fell by 7%, to 734,266 tonnes.
Outside the EU, but still within Europe, the United Kingdom ranked as the third-largest global destination for Spanish fruit and vegetables, with €1.045 billion, up 3%, and 511,593 tonnes, down 5%.
Other European markets, such as the Netherlands, showed a similar trend, with growth in value and a fall in volume. By contrast, Portugal and Italy performed more positively, increasing both imported volume and turnover, with value growth of 12% and 15%, respectively.
More value in a mature market
The evolution of exports to the European Union reflects an important shift for the sector: the European market continues to generate value, even in a context of lower commercialised volumes.
This trend points to a higher valuation of Spanish produce in its main destinations, while also highlighting the need to continue strengthening competitiveness, differentiation and supply stability in a mature and highly demanding market.
Weakness in non-European markets
In contrast to Europe’s strength, destinations outside the continent showed weaker performance. Spanish fruit and vegetable exports to third countries reached 768,165 tonnes in the first four months of 2026, down 2%, while value increased slightly, by 3.7%, to €1.517 billion.
These markets still represent a limited share of Spanish fruit and vegetable exports: just 17% of total volume and 18% of total value.
Canada, the United States and Brazil fall back
The declines were particularly significant in some markets considered strategic for commercial diversification.
In Canada, exports fell by 24% in volume and 17% in value. In the United States, the decline stood at 10% in volume and 8.3% in value.
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The sharpest decline was recorded in Brazil, where Spanish sales dropped by 47% in volume and 47.7% in value, to 1,977 tonnes and €2.3 million.
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia reduced its purchases by 13% in volume, although value increased by 2%. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates recorded falls of 36% in volume and 27% in value.
In the case of China, export volume fell by 5%, while value increased by 5%.
Diversification remains unfinished business
The figures for the first four months of 2026 confirm that the European Union remains the natural major market for Spanish fruit and vegetables, with positive value growth despite the decline in volume.
However, they also highlight the difficulties in consolidating alternative markets outside Europe. The decline in destinations such as Canada, the United States, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates shows that international diversification remains one of the major challenges for the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector.
