For the fifth consecutive year, the Association of Organizations of Fruit and Vegetable Producers of Almeria, COEXPHAL, has launched the "Europe's First Watermelon. With Pleasure!" promotional campaign to boost consumption of this fruit. Spain exported 678,822 tons of watermelon for 498 million euros in 2023, led by Andalusia, the Valencian Community, and Murcia.
The campaign aims to promote the consumption of this typical summer fruit while highlighting that the first European watermelon in the market is mainly grown in Almeria and Granada. This year, the campaign will emphasize the fruit's flavor, freshness, and quality, stated the president of Coexphal, Juan Antonio González, during the presentation of the promotion campaign.
Another goal is to contribute to the continued increase in Almeria's production. Almeria is Spain's main watermelon-producing province. In 2023, the province produced 625,195 tons of watermelon, i.e. 6.5% more than in the previous season. The area increased to 10,900 hectares and production is expected to grow by 1%. Almeria exported 323,000 tons of watermelons. Almost half of the volume (47.7%) was sent to Germany. The remaining volume was sent to France, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Denmark.
According to data from the Customs and Excise Department processed by FEPEX, in 2023, Spain exported 678,822 tons of watermelon for 498 million euros, i.e. the same volume but 3% less value than in 2022.
Andalusia is the leading exporting community with 342,735 tons (Almeria accounted for 94% of the Andalusian total), followed by the Valencian Community with 135,877 tons, and Murcia with 125,114 tons. Andalusia's exports amounted to 243 million euros, the Valencian Community's exports to 111 million euros, and Murcia's exports to 93 million euros.
Source: fepex.es