Andalusia strengthens its leadership in the fruit and vegetable sector in the United Kingdom and Ireland with record exports and trade missions.

 

The public agency Andalucía TRADE has successfully carried out two ambitious trade missions in the UK and Ireland, bringing together nine leading Andalusian fruit and vegetable companies with 21 importers and major purchasing centers in the sector. These events, held between May 20 and 23 in London and Dublin, generated more than 80 business interviews, reaffirming the commitment to promoting the consumption of fruits and vegetables from Andalusia in both markets.

 

The European market, which currently absorbs 99% of Andalusian fruit and vegetable exports, maintains a high purchasing rate and shows notable dynamism in the search for new international suppliersIn this context, trade missions are a strategic opportunity for Andalusian companies to showcase their top-quality offerings and strengthen their position. In 2024, Andalusia led fruit and vegetable exports to the United Kingdom and Ireland, accounting for 34% of national turnover and totaling sales worth €833 million, according to data from Andalucía TRADE.

 

Andalusian companies, both in the organic and conventional sectors, had the opportunity to showcase their products to British and Irish trade representatives. The main objective of these events was to promote the presence of Andalusian products and facilitate contact with potential importers and distributors, opening new business avenues and consolidating alliances.

 

The nine participating Andalusian companies come from various provinces, reflecting the richness and variety of regional fruit and vegetable production. Among them are MJ Agroasesores and Fresh Sourcing (Almeria), Espalmex, La Solea BIO and Magallanesfresh (Seville), Ecoverfruta and Sigfrido Fruit (Malaga), Riotinto Citrus (Huelva) and El Pozuelo (Granada).

 

 

Currently, the European market, the destination for 99% of Andalusian fruits and vegetables, continues to carry out purchasing operations at a good pace and the continent's fruit and vegetable industry is showing great dynamics.

 

The United Kingdom: A Strategic Market of 15.200 Billion Dollars

 

The United Kingdom has consolidated its position as one of the most important European markets for Andalusian fruit and vegetable exports, being the fourth largest market in the world for the sector and the natural destination for a significant volume of local production (10,9% of the total). During the mission to London, the agenda included an information session at the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain, where the commercial advisor, Rafael Ortega, gave an overview of the British market and the opportunities for the fruit and vegetable sector. A joint meeting was also held with Langridge Organics, a company specializing in the distribution of organic products in the United Kingdom.

 

The Andalusian companies subsequently attended a technical session at the Ministry of Agriculture of the Spanish Embassy. The Minister of Agriculture, Alicia Villauriz, detailed the new regulations on phytosanitary controls applicable to products of plant origin, which are scheduled to come into force on July 1.

 

The London agenda included sales prospecting visits to key distribution points, such as New Covent Garden Market, the leading wholesale market for fresh fruit and vegetables; Serve Wholesale Ltd., a specialist importer and distributor of fresh produce; First Choice Produce, a premium supplier to the Horeca sector; and Whole Foods Market, a leading store in the organic and gourmet segment.

 

According to reports from Andalucía TRADE, the United Kingdom is experiencing strong growth in organic consumption. The Soil Association's 2024 report highlights that fresh organic produce represents 22,7% of the total organic sector's business, with year-on-year growth of 10,4%, outperforming the rest of the food sector. This trend is favorable for Andalusian organic products, valued for their quality, sustainability, and healthy nature. The Soil Association's reports ICEX - Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade indicate that the fruit and vegetable category in the United Kingdom has benefited from new post-pandemic consumption habits, more focused on cooking and eating at home, which boosted sales to $15.200 billion in 2024.

Ireland: Growth Opportunity with 83% Imports

 

In Ireland, the mission focused on an intensive day of meetings with Irish companies at the hotel Holiday Inn Premier Dublin City Center, complemented by visits to importers' headquarters and points of sale such as Dunnes Stores, Supervalu and CentraAndalusia TRADE reports highlight the Irish market as a significant opportunity for Andalusian companies due to its high dependence on imports. In 2024, the Irish fresh fruit and vegetable market value reached €1.650 billion, of which 83% corresponded to imported products.

 

El Brexit This has accentuated the trend among Irish importers to seek direct suppliers within the single market, avoiding British intermediaries. Furthermore, 70% of the organic products available in Ireland are imported, which amplifies the potential of Andalusian exporters in this segment.

 

The organization of these actions by Andalucía TRADE is co-financed by funds from the European Union through the Andalusian FEDER OP 2021-2027, with an EU contribution of 85%.

Andalusian Horticultural Record at World Level

 

Andalusia consolidated its position as the leader in national fruit and vegetable exports in 2024, reaching €7.155 billion and accounting for 36% of the total, with record figures and a 3,7% increase compared to 2023. Europe is the main destination for Andalusian fruit and vegetable sales, representing 98% of turnover and registering increases in eight of its ten main markets. The United Kingdom ranked fourth, with €782 million (10,9% of the total), and Ireland ranked 15th, with purchases worth €51 million (0,7% of the total).

 

In 2024, Andalucía TRADE organized international actions involving 275 companies in the fruit and vegetable sector, generating 541 participations. As part of its strategy to support the internationalization of the Andalusian agri-food sector, Andalucía TRADE has scheduled various activities for the second half of 2025.

 

Planned activities include a meeting in Almeria with Italian agents specializing in nuts (June 10-12); a direct horticultural mission to to Canada, with stops at Montreal and Toronto (June 10-13); and a trade event in Huelva with UK buyers interested in berries (June 18-19). Almería will also host an international meeting with buyers from various markets in the fruit and vegetable sector (June 25-27). In addition, a day with importers is planned for November. EDEKA, one of Germany's leading distribution groups. The agenda is rounded off with a direct horticultural mission to Poland, scheduled for September in warsaw, focused on market prospecting in Central and Eastern Europe, and another similar action aimed at Switzerland, which will take place in Zurich during the month of November.