According to first official estimates for the 2019 Spanish vegetable campaigns, extra-early potato production is up 5.2%, while output of early varieties surged 24.4%. The onion crop contracted 12.9%. As for tomatoes, the “January-May” crop climbed 4.6%, and the "summer" (June-Sept) rose 5.8%, in its first estimates.

Spain’s exports of fresh fruits and vegetables in the first seven months of 2018 totalled €8.2 billion, matching the 2017 figure for the same period of 2017. Volumes fell by 1% to 4.2 million tons, according to data published by Spain’s General Directorate of Customs.

Vegetables, olive groves, citrus fruits, fruit trees and vineyards are all affected by the weather front that ravaged the coast of the Valencian, Murcian and Andalusian in the second week of September. In the Valencian community, the most affected areas were those of Vega Baja and Alto Vinalopó. In Vega Baja, total loss of some flooded vegetable fields is expected, including artichoke, potato, sweet potato, sweet potato, broccoli and cauliflower.

The latest estimates published by Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for the country’s 2018/19 vegetable crop indicate an increase in output of potato. Production of extra-early potato varieties is expected to increase by 5.2%, in line with a corresponding expansion in production area. The early potato crop is forecast to be up 24.8%, despite little variation in growing area. As for tomatoes, production for the first five months of 2019 is up 1.1%. The aubergine and mushroom crops are respectively 3.4% and 1.4% larger.

Spain’s fruit producers and exporters association (Apoexpa) is satisfied with the 2018 fruit growing season and is looking forward to an improved 2019 campaign. At this point in the season, there have been no adverse meteorological phenomena or diseases to damage the region’s crops. President of the association, Joaquín Gómez, said that Murcia’s stone fruit and table grape campaigns were both looking good, especially for stone fruit, which should bounce back from last season’s lower crop. Another advantage for exports is that the harvest should commence a week earlier than usual.

Spain’s F&V exports fell 0.2% in 2018 to €12.7 billion, according to data published by the Sectorial Observatory DBK. Fruit exports increased by 0.1%, representing 59% of the total value, with €7.56 billion, while foreign sales of vegetables decreased by 0.8%, and accounted for 41% of the value (€5.16 billion).

Spain’s fruit exports up to November 2018 were worth €6.9 billion, up 2% on the same period in 2017. However, in volume terms, they fell 6% to 6.3 million tons. According to FEPEX data, the stonefruit category was most hit by the drop on production. Peach exports plummeted by 15% to 381,000 tons, while increasing in value by 1% to €381 million. Nectarine volumes were down 24% to 357,000 tons, while slipping 3% in value to €408 million. Plum export volumes plunged 28% to 71,000 tons and were worth 13% less (€86 million).

Europe’s largest purple garlic producer Coopaman has joined Unica, a move which sees the cooperative consolidate its leadership, with plans to surpass 400 million kilos by the end of this campaign. Coopaman S.C.L. is a second-tier agricultural cooperative based in Las Pedroñeras (Cuenca). Coopaman sells about 20 million kilos of garlic annually, including varieties of white, purple, spring violet and white spring, and has a turnover of approximately €30 million.

On October 24, CMR INFINITA, a subsidiary in Madrid of CMR GROUP, presented its new Logistics Platform in Mercamadrid to its suppliers, customers and collaborators.

Exports of Spanish vegetables and fruits to mainland China and Hong Kong continue their spectacular expansion, exceeding €34 million euros in 2017, which represents a growth of 31% compared to 2016 and a 1,373% cumulative increase in the last five years. With the opening of the Chinese market in 2016 to Spanish exports of stone fruit and the consolidation of citrus exports, authorised since 2007, the Asia Pacific area is of great importance for the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector.