Spanish customs data shows a significant rise in fresh produce exports to two key Gulf markets between January and October last year, with the bulk of the rise coming from vegetable shipments.

In a release, industry organization Fepex highlighted fresh fruit exports were up 2% year-on-year for the period at 50,124 metric tons (MT), and fresh vegetable exports jumped 13% to 36,692MT.

In value terms, exports to the UAE were up 3% at €54.5 million while they rose 10% to Saudi Arabia at €39 million.

The UAE is Spain's third-largest market outside the European Union, and Saudi Arabia is the fourth.

Fepex organized participation in the trade fair WOP Dubai which took place between Nov. 13-15 last year, and will also take place in the new fair Mac Fruit Attraction in Cairo, Egypt from April 22-24.

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