UK Faces Higher Costs As Spanish Fresh Produce Volumes Fall
- Jul 19
- 3 min read
Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable exports are generating greater returns across Europe despite falling shipment volumes – a trend that could increase cost and availability pressures for UK importers, retailers and consumers.
Exports to the EU were worth €6.596 billion during the first four months of 2026, an increase of 5.7% compared with the same period last year. However, volumes fell by 3.4% to 3.7 million tonnes, according to Spanish Customs and Excise data processed by FEPEX.
The UK remained Spain’s third-largest global market, behind Germany and France. Spanish exports to the UK reached €1.045 billion between January and April, up 3%, while the volume shipped fell by 5% to 511,593 tonnes.
Taken together, those figures suggest the average export value per tonne of produce destined for the UK increased by approximately 8.4% year on year. However, this does not necessarily equate to an identical rise in wholesale or retail prices, as the figures may also reflect changes in the mix and value of products exported, supply contracts, exchange rates and other supply-chain costs.
Nevertheless, the combination of lower availability and higher export value is significant for the UK because of its dependence on Spanish produce.
The Government’s latest UK Food Security Report found that domestic production supplied only 53% of the UK’s fresh vegetables and 16% of its fresh fruit in 2023. Spain was the UK’s largest overseas supplier of both categories, accounting for 32% of fresh vegetable imports and 16% of fresh fruit imports by volume.
The UK is particularly reliant on imported salad crops and other produce outside the domestic growing season. Defra has previously linked shortages of tomatoes, peppers and salads in UK supermarkets to adverse weather affecting production in Spain and North Africa.
A sustained reduction in Spanish shipments could therefore leave UK buyers facing greater competition for available produce, particularly during the winter and early spring. Importers may need to pay more to secure supply, absorb some of the increase or pass additional costs through the chain.
Alternative sourcing from countries including Morocco and the Netherlands may help compensate for lower Spanish volumes, but switching supply is not always straightforward. Availability, product specifications, transport distances, growing conditions and border requirements can all affect the viability and cost of alternative origins.
The latest figures come against a backdrop of already elevated UK fresh produce import costs. Fresh fruit and vegetables remained the UK’s highest-value food import category in 2025, reaching £8.2 billion – 4.4% more than in 2024. Fruit imports were valued at almost £5 billion, while vegetable imports totalled £3.2 billion.
Defra identifies import prices and exchange rates among the principal factors influencing UK food prices. Consequently, the higher value attached to Spanish exports could feed into further price pressure if it continues, although the eventual effect on shoppers will depend on currency movements, retailer contracts and how much of the additional cost is absorbed by businesses.
Across Europe, the EU accounted for 81% of Spain’s fresh produce export value and 83% of its export volume between January and April. When non-EU European destinations including the UK, Norway and Switzerland were included, Europe represented 98% of export value, at €7.973 billion, and 97% of volume, at 4.36 million tonnes.
Germany remained Spain’s largest market, purchasing produce worth €2.408 billion – a 5% rise – despite volumes falling by 2.5% to 1.2 million tonnes. Exports to France were valued at €1.215 billion, also 5% higher, while volumes declined by 7% to 734,266 tonnes.
The figures demonstrate the continuing strength of demand for Spanish produce, but for the UK they also deliver a warning: its most important overseas supplier is sending less produce while generating more value from every tonne.
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