Arabfields, Leonor Fernández de Córdoba, Correspondent, Spain — Spain increased its imports of fresh fruit and vegetables during the first seven months of 2026, with both volumes and overall spending rising from a year earlier. The figures point to a Spanish market that is relying increasingly on overseas suppliers, even as domestic growers face higher production costs and tighter European regulations.

Fresh produce imports reached 2.87 million tonnes between January and July, worth €3.47 billion, according to Spanish customs data processed by Fepex. Volume increased 7% year on year, while import value rose 5%.

Fresh fruit accounted for most of the increase. Spain imported 1.52 million tonnes during the period, an 11% rise from the same months of 2025. The value of fruit imports climbed 9% to €2.52 billion.

Bananas remained the largest imported fruit by volume, with 280,898 tonnes, up 14%. Kiwifruit imports also increased 14% to 121,165 tonnes, while pineapple volumes reached 110,693 tonnes, an increase of 7%.

One of the sharpest changes came from lemons. Imports more than doubled compared with a year earlier, reaching 59,709 tonnes, a 106% increase. The rise highlights how quickly international sourcing can change when availability, prices and domestic production conditions shift.

Vegetable imports followed a different pattern. Spain brought in 1.35 million tonnes during the first seven months, 3% more than in the same period of 2025. Yet the value of those imports fell 4% to €950 million, suggesting that the increase in volume was not matched by higher prices.

Potatoes continued to dominate vegetable imports, reaching 783,607 tonnes. Their import value, however, fell 29% to €228 million.

Tomatoes and peppers are attracting particular attention from Spanish producers. Tomato imports increased 6% to 115,268 tonnes, while their value jumped 22% to €190 million. Pepper imports rose 19% to 80,784 tonnes, with their value increasing 26% to €117 million. Fepex has expressed concern about the increase because both products are also widely produced within Spain.

The broader trade picture shows that suppliers outside the European Union are playing an increasingly important role. During the first half of 2026, non-EU countries accounted for 54% of Spain’s fresh produce import volume and more than 72% of its import value. Morocco remained the leading non-EU supplier by value, followed by countries including Peru and Costa Rica.

For Spanish growers, the trend comes at a difficult moment. Higher production costs and increasingly stringent European regulations are adding pressure, while imported products are expanding their presence in supermarkets and wholesale markets.

For consumers and food distributors, however, a wider international supply base can provide additional sources of fruit and vegetables throughout the year. The growing role of suppliers outside the EU also reflects Spain’s position as both a major agricultural producer and a significant European trading hub.

If the pace recorded during the first seven months continues, Spain’s fresh produce imports could remain above 3 million tonnes for the full year, with the final value potentially exceeding €4 billion. Such a trajectory would further underline the importance of international suppliers to the Spanish market.

The coming months will show whether the increase is primarily driven by temporary supply gaps, competitive pricing or a longer-term change in purchasing patterns. For Spanish farmers, the evolution of tomato, pepper and other competing imports will be particularly important as they assess planting decisions and market conditions for the next production cycle.