Spain’s fruit and vegetable exports exceed €10.1 billion despite lower volume

Export revenue rises as shipments contract

Spain exported 5.5 million tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables between January and May 2026, generating €10.106 billion in revenue. Agronews Castilla y León reported that shipment volume fell 1.6% from the same period of 2025, while export value increased 7%, based on customs data processed by the Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Live Plants, FEPEX.

The divergence indicates a higher average value for Spain’s fresh produce exports. Both major categories followed the same pattern: vegetables and fruit recorded moderate volume declines but generated more revenue. The figures cover fresh products classified under the relevant headings of tariff chapters 07 and 08. Processed fruit and vegetables, nuts and pulses are excluded.

Vegetables approach €5.1 billion

Fresh vegetable exports reached approximately 2.9 million tonnes, 1% below the first five months of 2025. Their value nevertheless rose 10% to €5.067 billion. Peppers were the highest-earning vegetable export, generating €1.057 billion, up 7%. Tomato revenue increased 11% to €719 million, cucumber revenue climbed 19% to €651 million, and lettuce revenue advanced 5.1% to €607 million.

Lettuce led vegetable exports by volume at 453,039 tonnes, a year-on-year increase of 3%. Peppers ranked second with 415,037 tonnes, broadly unchanged from a year earlier. Cucumber shipments grew 1% to 363,742 tonnes, while tomato exports declined 3% to 346,622 tonnes.

The cucumber figures show the clearest gap between physical shipments and receipts: a 1% rise in volume accompanied a 19% increase in value. Tomatoes also earned 11% more despite a 3% reduction in tonnes shipped. These movements strengthened vegetable revenue even as the category’s overall volume edged lower.

Fruit volumes fall but value increases

Fresh fruit exports totaled 2.6 million tonnes, down 2%, while their value increased 4% to €5.039 billion. Oranges remained the largest fruit export by volume at 734,904 tonnes, although shipments dropped 10%. Mandarin exports fell 7% to 486,470 tonnes, while lemon shipments rose 2% to 323,868 tonnes.

Strawberry exports increased 3% to 250,323 tonnes, and the crop retained first place among fruit by export value, generating €823 million, up 1.6%. Watermelon shipments were unchanged at 176,788 tonnes. Avocado exports rose 1% to 88,885 tonnes, while blueberry volumes declined 5% to 72,355 tonnes.

Mandarin export revenue was nearly stable at €741 million, down 0.1%. Orange receipts fell 6.4% to €716 million, less sharply than the 10% decline in volume. Blueberries generated €545 million, an increase of 0.9% despite lower tonnage. Across the sector, vegetables contributed slightly more revenue than fruit, but the two categories were close: €5.067 billion and €5.039 billion respectively.