Almería's fruit and vegetable exports in the 2024/2025 season will reach 2.5 million tons and 3,716 million euros, i.e., 5% and 14% more volume and value than in the 2023/2024 season, according to data currently available and advanced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development.
"These are very positive figures that indicate it was a good season," the ministry said. This can also be seen in the value of sales, which totalled 4,501 million euros, 22% or 812 million euros more than last year.
© Junta de Andalucía
The top products in terms of value were pepper (€1,432 million, +25% over the previous season), tomatoes (€908 million, +18%), cucumbers (€677 million, +32.5%), watermelons (€478 million; +34%), and zucchini (€373 million, +3.5%).
Production increased by more than four million tons or 2.3% over the previous season. Production was led by bell peppers (913,000 tons), tomatoes (751,000 tons), watermelons (629,000 tons), cucumbers (621,000 tons), and zucchini (464,000 tons).
The total area under cultivation increased to 62,743 hectares, which is almost 2% more than last season. However, the 62,743 hectares of greenhouses operate a double growing season. Almeria's greenhouse area remained stable at approximately 33,000 hectares. The crops with the largest areas under cultivation were bell peppers (12,719 hectares), watermelon (11,081 hectares), tomatoes (8,170 hectares), zucchini (7,610 hectares), and cucumbers (6,681 hectares).
The average sales price of the different horticultural produce stood at 0.89 per kg, increasing by nearly 12%.
The best-performing products were eggplant with 0.81 euros per kg (0.25 euros per kg more, an increase of 44.64 percent), pepper with 1.23 euros per kg (0.18 euros per kg more, an increase of 17.14 percent), and tomatoes with 0.97 euros per kg (0.09 euros per kg more, an increase of 9.55 percent).
Eggplant saw the biggest price jump, averaging 0.81 euros per kilo, 44.64% more than in the previous season. Pepper prices increased by 17.1% and stood at 1.23 euros per kilo, and tomato prices grew by 9.6% to 0.97 euros per kilo.
© Junta de AndalucíaPepper, the most valuable crop
Peppers were the most valuable crop with 1,121 million euros (+16.70%). Tomatoes followed with 729 million euros(+8%), and cucumbers ranked third with 545 million euros (+19.53%).
The organic acreage also grew by 3% last season to 29,519 hectares. More than half (57%) of all greenhouse vegetable production in Almería is now subject to integrated crop protection techniques. Peppers took the lead, covering almost 100% of its area (12,705 hectares). Cucumbers followed with 80% (5,345 hectares), and tomatoes with 64% of their area (5,229 hectares).
80% of greenhouse organic vegetables production
Almería accounts for 80% of Andalusia's greenhouse organic vegetable production. Tomatoes account for the largest share, with 1,943 hectares, followed by cucumbers (750 hectares), peppers (706 hectares), zucchini (444 hectares), watermelon (397 hectares), eggplant (88 hectares), melons (44 hectares), and beans (43 hectares).
"This very positive export, marketing, production, acreage, and price figures demonstrate the potential of Almería's fruit and vegetable sector," stressed Manuel Gomez, Secretary General of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food. This potential, driven by Andalusia's First Strategic Plan for Greenhouse Fruits and Vegetables, 65% of which has been implemented, allows us to continue positioning ourselves in the national and international markets, he added.
For more information:
Junta de Andalucía
Consejería de Agricultura, Pesca, Agua y Desarrollo Rural
www.juntadeandalucia.es
