Spain's fruit and vegetable imports rose by 21% year-on-year to €1.249 billion (US$3.36 billion) in the first nine months of 2013, according to analysis of government figures by the country's Federation of Fruit, Vegetable, Flower and Live Plant Grower Exporter Associations (FEPEX).

While the value was high, volume was up just 1% reaching 1.7 million metric tons (MT).

Fruit import volume rose by a greater percentage of 3%, amounting to 927.833MT, while the category's value was up 17% at €843 million (US$1.14 billion). Apples were the leading fruit imported to the Mediterranean country with a value that rose by 36% to €162 million (US$219 million).

In terms of vegetables, import volume actually declined by 1.5% but that was more than compensated by a 29% rise in import value, hitting €406.5 million (US$549.6 million)

FEPEX said these difficulties served to emphasize the difficulties faced by fruit and vegetable growers in Spain, who needed to improve competitiveness, especially in terms of apple, pear, potato and carrot farmers.

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