Portuguese fruit, vegetable and flower exports reached the highest value ever in 2022: 2040 million euros. This result represents an increase of 15.6% compared to 2021. The announcement was made by Portugal Fresh at Fruit Logistica, in Berlin.
International sales also grew in volume terms, by 13.6% to 1835 million kilos. Spain continues to be Portugal’s biggest customer in fruit, vegetable and flower purchases (with a share of 35%). France, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and Belgium follow as the main destinations for domestic production in 2022. The European Union absorbed 80% of total exports.
The main products exported were processed tomatoes (330 million euros), berries (260 million euros), citrus fruits (172 million euros), pears (111 million euros) and fresh tomatoes (79 million euros).
“This is an historic milestone for the entire sector and the result of more than a decade of investment, not only in international promotion, but also in innovation and technology. Portuguese companies are to be congratulated! Particularly in recent years, and especially given the adverse environment, they have shown huge resilience, which proves that investing in the sector is a safe bet and that it really is strategic for the economic development of the country”, says Gonçalo Santos Andrade, Chairman of Portugal Fresh.
Portugal Fresh’s has participate at Fruit Logistica within the scope of the Joint Internationalisation Project 2022/2023, adopted by Portugal 2020 – Competitiveness and Internationalisation Operational Programme. It foresees an overall investment of 948,900.85 euros, 54% of which is funded by the ERDF – European Regional Development Fund.
