Casablanca – Morocco reinforced its position as Spain’s largest supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables by value during the first four months of 2026, reflecting the continued expansion of agricultural trade between the two neighboring countries and the growing importance of non-European suppliers in the Spanish market.

According to the latest data released by the Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Live Plants (FEPEX), based on official Spanish customs statistics, imports of Moroccan fresh produce reached approximately $770 million between January and April 2026. The figure represents a 5.6% increase compared with the same period of 2025, allowing Morocco to remain the leading supplier to Spain in terms of import value.

The latest results come as Spain continues to increase purchases of fresh produce from countries outside the European Union, a trend that has gradually reshaped the country’s import structure over recent years. While suppliers from within the EU remain important in terms of shipment volumes, non-EU exporters now account for the majority of the value of Spain’s fresh fruit and vegetable imports.

Although Morocco ranked first by value, France remained Spain’s largest supplier by volume during the January-April period. French exports exceeded 494,500 metric tons, while Morocco supplied nearly 233,000 metric tons, placing it second overall.

Costa Rica ranked third with approximately 141,000 metric tons, followed by the Netherlands with about 105,000 metric tons and Peru with roughly 94,000 metric tons.

The difference between Morocco’s ranking by value and by volume reflects the composition of its exports, which include higher-value fruit and vegetable products that command stronger prices in European markets throughout much of the year.

Among Spain’s leading suppliers by export value, Peru ranked second with shipments valued at around $198 million, while Costa Rica followed with approximately $123 million. Brazil recorded the fastest growth among the principal suppliers, with export value rising 17.5% year-on-year to nearly $95 million.

The broader import figures published by FEPEX indicate that Spain imported approximately 1.7 million metric tons of fresh fruits and vegetables during the first four months of 2026. The value of those imports exceeded $2.27 billion, representing annual increases of 6% in volume and 4% in value.

A significant share of that growth came from countries outside the European Union. Imports from non-EU suppliers reached more than 917,000 metric tons, with a total value of approximately $1.64 billion during the January-April period.

Compared with the same period last year, imports from non-EU countries increased by 9% in volume and 7% in value, underscoring the continued expansion of external suppliers in Spain’s fresh produce market.

The data also show that non-EU countries accounted for approximately 52% of Spain’s total fresh fruit and vegetable import volume during the first four months of the year, slightly exceeding the 48% share supplied by EU member states.

The gap is even more pronounced when measured by value. Suppliers from outside the European Union represented nearly 72% of Spain’s total import value, while products sourced from EU countries accounted for the remaining 28%.

Meanwhile, imports from EU member states totaled roughly 837,000 metric tons, representing a 5.3% increase from a year earlier. However, the value of those imports declined 6% to approximately $624 million, suggesting changes in product prices and the mix of imported goods within the European market.

The figures highlight the growing role of neighboring Mediterranean producers and overseas exporters in meeting Spain’s demand for fresh agricultural products throughout the year.

Morocco has continued to strengthen its position in this environment through a diversified export portfolio that includes tomatoes, berries, citrus fruits, peppers, melons, avocados, and other fresh produce. Geographic proximity to Spain, short transport times across the Strait of Gibraltar, and investments in agricultural production, logistics, and cold-chain infrastructure have helped maintain a steady flow of exports to European markets.

Spain is one of Morocco’s principal trading partners for agricultural products, serving both as a destination for direct consumption and as a distribution hub within the wider European market. Seasonal production patterns in the two countries also complement each other, enabling Moroccan exports to supply the Spanish market during periods of lower domestic production.

The continued increase in Spanish imports from Morocco also reflects broader changes in European food supply chains. Retailers and importers have increasingly diversified sourcing strategies in response to changing consumer demand, climate-related production challenges in parts of Europe, and the need for year-round availability of fresh fruits and vegetables.

For Morocco, maintaining the leading position by value in the Spanish market adds to the country’s broader export performance in Europe, where Moroccan agricultural products have expanded their presence across several markets in recent years.

The latest FEPEX data indicate that imports of fresh fruits and vegetables into Spain continue to grow, with non-EU suppliers accounting for an increasing share of both volume and value. Within that trend, Morocco remains the country’s largest supplier by value and one of its principal suppliers by volume, reinforcing its role as a key participant in Spain’s agricultural import market and in the broader European fresh produce supply chain.