Spain: Brassica exports remained stable in volume and increased 12% in value during 2009

Spanish vegetables exports stayed constant although its value fell by 4%

The volume of Spanish brassica exports during 2009 maintained stable reaching 304,000 tonnes, increasing by 0.4% compared with 2008, while imports fell by 12% (15,000 tonnes), according to data from FEPEX, the Spanish Federation of Fruit and Vegetable Producers/Exporters.

Brassica exports were worth a total of €286 million, up 12% compared with 2008, while the value of imports decreased by 21% (reaching €8 million). Overall, fresh vegetable exports value dropped by 4% to €3,238 million, while imports also decreased by 5% to €481 million. According to FEPEX, the stability of volume and the value drop is due to the low prices caused by the recession.

During 2009, brassicas accounted for 7% of all exported vegetables, but only 1% of imported vegetables.

France, the UK, Germany and the Netherlands: top Spanish importers

The 27 EU member states received 95% of Spain’s brassica exports during 2009. Of the 305,210 tonnes exported, the United Kingdom took 32%, Germany 18%, France 13% and the Netherlands 12%. According to data from FEPEX, the distribution of the figures changes little compared with the same period of 2008. So, the, UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands remained as the top Spanish brassica importers in 2009.

Of the almost 4 million tonnes of vegetables exported by Spain, Germany received 24%, the United Kingdom 18%, France 16% and the Netherlands 12%. Overall, vegetable exports remain stable with only 0.7% decrease on 2008.

Spain: Brassica and vegetable exports in 2008 and 2009

Own elaboration with data from FEPEX

Import movements

Most of Spain’s brassica imports (99%) came from the 27 EU member states. Of the total of 15,000 imported tonnes into Spain, 39% came from the Netherlands and 36% from France. In contrast, during the same period of 2008, Spain imported 12% more, of which 36% came from France and 35% from France.

Overall, Spain imported 1.3 million tonnes of vegetables, of which 50% came from France reaching 637,365 tonnes and only 12% from Portugal (154,300 tonnes) and 9% from the Netherlands (115,600 tonnes).

Spain: Brassica imports of 2008 and 2009

Own elaboration with data from FEPEX


S&G Brassicas Today – March 2010