In 2025, the European Union will once again be the main customer of Spanish fruits and vegetables, concentrating 10 million tons of exports and 15,239 million euros, according to FEPEX data released on March 5, 2026. Thus, the community market absorbed 84% of the volume and 82% of the value, while sales outside the EU fell more sharply.
The European Union continues to be Spain’s main client
Trade with the EU remained the mainstay of the sector despite a 3% adjustment in volume compared to 2024. Even so, the decline was smaller than that of non-EU exports, which fell 8% and stood at 1.9 million tons, as reported by FEPEX. In terms of value, shipments to destinations outside the Union fell by 3%, to 3,417 million euros.
The weight of Europe was even more decisive if the continent as a whole is added. FEPEX points out that the EU’s 84% quota in volume rose to 97% when the United Kingdom and the rest of the European countries were incorporated. With this calculation, Spanish exports to Europe reached 11.7 million tons, which reflects a strong dependence on the European market as a commercial outlet.
If we look at billing, the trend was clearly favorable at the community level. Sales to the EU amounted to 15,249 million euros, 5% more, while the European total stood at 18,188 million (+4%), according to the same data. That is, somewhat less in tons was exported to the EU, but with a higher overall value.
Outside Europe, performance was weaker. Shipments to non-European countries decreased by 14% and totaled 316,772 tons. According to FEPEX, this decrease responded to protectionist policies in part of third countries and the complexity of negotiating phytosanitary protocols to open markets or keep them operational.
The drop was also noted in collection, where sales outside Europe only reached 478 million euros, 11% less than in 2024, always according to FEPEX. In practice, diversification to distant destinations continued to run into trade barriers and health requirements that slowed growth.
Direct consequence for farmers
The geographical distribution of sales leaves an immediate consequence for producers and marketers, since the EU sets the pace of foreign business and conditions a good part of the stability of the sector. Furthermore, the fact that the value has grown while the volume has fallen slightly suggests a price and demand context in which the Community market remains the most profitable and accessible.
On the other hand, the decline of extra-European markets adds pressure to strengthen competitiveness and gain negotiating capacity in third countries. FEPEX links this slowdown to an environment of greater protectionism and complex phytosanitary procedures, factors that force the sector to concentrate efforts in Europe while seeking realistic ways to diversify destinations.