Morocco leads non-EU fresh produce supply to Spain as imports reach US$826M
Peru, Costa Rica, and Brazil are emerging as key competitors to Moroccan exports, contributing to a growing multi-billion dollar trade sector.
SPAIN – Morocco has retained its position as Spain’s largest non-European supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables in the first four months of 2026, with Spanish imports of Moroccan produce reaching €710 million (US$826 million), a 5.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
In volume terms, Morocco shipped 232,993 metric tons of fresh fruit and vegetables to Spain between January and April.
On the other hand, France remained Spain’s largest overall supplier at 494,547 tons, with Morocco second overall and first among non-EU exporters. Morocco’s proximity to Spain enables shorter transit times, lower transport costs, and fresher produce on arrival, providing a competitive advantage over distant suppliers.
Furthermore, Spain’s imports from non-EU countries grew 6.5% in volume to 895,791 tons over the period, while the value of those shipments rose 9% to €1.503 billion (US$1.75 billion). Spain’s total fresh fruit and vegetable imports from all origins reached 1.7 million tons, valued at €2.095 billion (US$2.44 billion), representing a 6% increase in volume and a 4% increase in value year-on-year.
Overall trends indicate that Spain is increasingly relying on international markets outside the European Union, with non-EU nations now providing more than half of the country’s total import tonnage.
Additionally, FEPEX data shows that non-EU suppliers accounted for 72% of the total value of Spain’s fresh produce imports during the period and 52% of total import volume, surpassing the combined share of EU member states.
As a result, this shift highlights a broader expansion in Spanish food demand, characterized by rising costs and a greater diversity of global trade partners.
Among non-EU exporters, Peru ranked second behind Morocco with €183 million (US$213 million) in exports to Spain, followed by Costa Rica at €113 million (US$132 million) and Brazil at €87 million (US$101 million).
Peru, Costa Rica, and Brazil are emerging as key competitors to Moroccan exports, contributing to a growing multi-billion dollar trade sector. These nations offer complementary supply seasons and product diversity.
On the other hand, Non-EU agricultural trade now surpasses European Union imports in both value and volume, demonstrating a fundamental shift in Spain’s sourcing patterns.
Lastly, rising costs within the EU and the need for year-round availability have driven Spanish importers to expand their global supplier base beyond traditional European partners.
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