The figures presented by Extenda for the first half of the year support Almería's unquestionable leadership in horticultural exports from Andalusia in this period. The province accounts for almost half of the community's sales (48%) and for 19.8% of the national total, which amounted to 1,946 million euro thanks to a 1.7% year-on-year growth, and a new record. Almeria's fruit and vegetable trade balance registered a surplus of 1,864 million euro, as its imports decreased by 24% and totaled 82.4 million euro.
Almeria's peppers continue to be its leading export product with 512.4 million Euro in the first half, i.e. 2.5% more than in the same period of 2020. The tomato remains the second export product and its downward trend continues as it experienced a year-on-year fall of 4.7%. Cucumber sales also decreased but only by 0.9% to 241 million euro. Spring crops, such as melon and watermelon, also decreased and papaya exports fell by 11.1% to 204.5 million euro. Lettuce sales abroad increased by 2.4% and amounted to 103 million euro.
The top ten destinations for Almeria's fruit and vegetable exports in the first half of 2021 were in Europe. Germany was the main destination, with shipments for 594.7 million, accounting for 30.6% of the total and 0.5% more than in the period between January and June 2020. Brexit didn't slow down sales to the United Kingdom, and the UK ranked as the second destination for Almeria exports with 324.5 million euro (16.7%) and a 31.7% increase. France ranked third with 270.5 million, 13.9% of the total, and a decrease of 2.5%. It was followed by the Netherlands, with 181.4 million, 9.3% of the total, and a 2.1% decrease, and Poland with 113.3 million, 5.8% of the total, and a 0.6% decrease.
Source: diariodealmeria.es