Spanish fruit and vegetable exports to Canada nearly doubled year-on-year in the first five months of 2018 thanks in part to a trade deal signed last year.

Industry association FEPEX said the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union had helped boost export volume by 87% to 34,992 metric tons (MT) from January through May.

The value of exports rose by 81% to €39.3 million (US$46 million). The most exported products were citrus, cabbages, garlic, onions and bell peppers.

The CETA came into force provisionally on September 21, 2017, eliminating duties on 98% of traded products, including fruit and vegetables.

Only 2.4% of imported fruits and vegetables in Canada in 2016 came from the EU.

When the deal was signed last year, FEPEX was upbeat about the tariff cuts, highlighting Spanish fruit and vegetable exports to Canada were worth €57.2 million (US$68.5 million) last year with a total volume of 43,640MT.