In this sense, looking ahead to the 11th edition of the fair, which is organised by IFEMA and FEPEX and is being held from 22 to 24 October , in addition to the procedure for inviting the authorities of both countries, a significant budgetary sum will be allocated to attract the main players in these markets to Madrid . More than 100 traders, purchasing managers, operators, importers, and retailers from India and Singapore. These countries will also be the protagonists of the World Fresh Forum, the business networking space being co-organised with ICEX that will address the commercial relationships existing between these countries and allow for the presentation of business opportunities.
In recent years there has been a surge in exports of fresh fruit and vegetables to Singapore, both from Spain and the EU in general, and this is one of the main factors behind the selection of Singapore as one from the guest countries in the next edition of FRUIT ATTRACTION. Singapore is also a major distribution hub for other countries of the region.
Spanish shipments have risen from 4 million euros in 2014 to 9.5 million euros in 2017, focused mainly on fruit. The main fruit exports are persimmons or kaki with 1.9 million euros; blueberries, with 1 million euros; lemons, with 945,917 euros; peaches with 937,035 euros; and plums, with 811,292 euros.
In 2018 and according to the latest official data up to November from the General Customs Directorate, 3,502 tonnes worth 7.1 million euros were exported, of which 3,464 tonnes were in fruit worth 7,02 million euros, and 38 tonnes were vegetables with a value of 133,938 euros.
EU exports of fruit and vegetables to Singapore have grown by 6% over the last four years, from 22,492 tonnes to 24,247 tonnes in 2017, with a 60% increase in value from 20.8 million euros to 35 million euros. The main exported products were apples, kiwis and persimmons, in the fruit category, and onions, in the vegetable category. In 2018, as of November, EU fruit and vegetable exports to Singapore stood at 16,823 tonnes, worth 30.1 million euros.
India has also developed positively as a recipient of Spanish and EU fruit and vegetables . In 2014, Spanish exports stood at 582 tonnes, worth 546,059 euros. By 2017 this had risen to 2,335 tonnes and 2.5 million euros, with a growth of 301% in volume and 358%. The volumes are nevertheless still small, so FRUIT ATTRACTION can contribute to improving the position of the Spanish sector in this market. In 2018, as of November, shipments were 1,728 tonnes and worth 1.6 million euros, with apples and pears being the main exported products.
As far as EU exports to India over the last four years, from 2014 to 2017 they grew by 416% in volume and 309% in value, totalling 60,556 tons and 46.7 million euros, with apples being the main exported product, at 40,269 tonnes and 31 million euros, according to data from the European Statistical Office, Eurostat, processed by FEPEX. Shipments to November 2018 totalled 14,184 tonnes and 15.1 million euros.
Southern Europe is establishing itself as the new hub with sustained expansion and growing importance in the global fruit and vegetable trade , as well as the gateway to Europe from Latin America, which strategically positions Fruit Attraction as the major platform and point of contact for fresh produce operators.