The foreign trade of Andalusian legumes and vegetables start the year strongThis represents an increase of nearly 10,5% in sales value compared to January of the previous year. In just one month, exports reached €688,7 million, compared to €623,8 million a year earlier, which translates to almost €65 million more for the Andalusian agricultural sector.
This behavior confirms that Andalusia maintains a prominent position in the supply of fruit and vegetables to Europe. and other international markets. Although the rest of the agri-food sector has suffered a slight decline in overall exports, fresh vegetables and certain fruits are consolidating their position as one of the most dynamic pillars of the community's trade balance.
A record-breaking January for Andalusian vegetables
The specific weight of the Legumes and vegetables within the total Andalusian agri-food sector It has strengthened at the beginning of the year. While total agri-food exports stood at over 1.417 million euros in January, with a drop of 6,5% compared to the same month of the previous year, the horticultural sector is clearly advancing and marks one of the best starts to the season in the statistical series.
In this context, the almost 10,5% increase in the value of exported legumes and vegetables is interpreted as a a symptom of the sector's ability to adapt to external demandDespite uncertainty regarding prices, production costs, and logistics, the increase in revenue is primarily due to the strong performance of some key vegetables grown in Andalusian greenhouses.
The data released by the regional government, based on information from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, shows that Fresh vegetables continue to be the driving force behind sales in EU markets and in third countries. Product diversification and consistent quality are factors that explain part of this dynamism.
At the same time, the growth of these items occurs despite the fact that The international environment is characterized by a certain restraint in consumption and due to tensions in logistical costs. That Andalusia manages to improve figures in this scenario points to a consolidation of trade relations and a stable presence on European supermarket shelves.
Star products: zucchini, lettuce and eggplant on the rise
Among the products that are driving the most growth, the following stand out: Andalusian zucchini, which registers a jump of almost 34% in export value compared to January of the previous year. Foreign sales of this crop have increased from 47,9 million euros to over 64 million in just twelve months, confirming its role as one of the leading crops in greenhouse agriculture.
Another of the main characters is the Fresh or chilled head lettuce, which increases its foreign sales by 29,4%In January, exports of this product rose from 9,7 to 12,6 million euros, reflecting strong demand in European countries and a remarkable supply capacity from Andalusian farms.
La Eggplant also joins in this positive behaviorInternational trade in this vegetable rose from €31,5 million to €39,7 million during the same period, an increase of 26,2%. This jump confirms that Andalusian producers have successfully consolidated market niches where eggplant consumption is becoming increasingly established.
Taken together, these three crops show how specialization in certain greenhouse vegetablesThis, combined with logistics tailored to the demands of European distribution chains, is allowing us to maintain and even expand our market share in the region.
In addition to fresh vegetables, certain fruits are also contributing to this positive trend, reinforcing the image of Andalusia as a stable supplier of fruit and vegetable products during the European winter, a key window for the profitability of many farms.
The boost for avocados within the fruit and vegetable sector
In the fruit block, the Andalusian avocado has become one of the most dynamic products in exports at the beginning of the year. In January, this crop exceeded 41 million euros in export value, compared to approximately 36,5 million euros in the same month of the previous year.
This leap translates into a growth of 12,5% and more than 4,5 million euros additional for the producing areas, especially the coastal strip. Although it is not strictly a vegetable, its contribution strengthens the Andalusian fruit and vegetable sector and helps the region gain weight in the European subtropical fruit trade.
The behavior of the avocado shows that diversification towards high value-added productsWith growing demand in markets such as Europe and Britain, it has become a relevant strategy to supplement income from more traditional crops.
The evolution of this fruit adds to the surge in vegetables and contributes to the fact that The block of legumes, vegetables and fresh fruit remains one of the most competitive of Andalusian agriculture, both in terms of volume and turnover.
Provincial map: Almería sets the export pace
In territorial analysis, Almería reaffirms its position as the great export engine of Andalusia in the vegetable sector and, more generally, in the agri-food sector. In January, exports from this province exceeded 642 million euros, thanks mainly to intensive greenhouse production.
It follows Sevilla, which exceeds 259 million euros in agri-food exports in the first month of the year, supported by a combination of processing industries and agricultural and livestock production. Although its profile is somewhat more diversified, it also contributes to the growth of the fruit and vegetable sector.
The provinces with intermediate figures include Córdoba, with more than 124 million euros, and Huelva, which is around 114 million Thanks to its weight in red fruits and other crops, Malaga is approaching 104,8 million euros, confirming its role in fruit and vegetable exports, while Granada exceeds 86 million.
At the bottom of the table appear Cadiz, with 60,2 million euros, and Jaén, which registers about 27,4 million in agri-food exports. Although these provinces do not reach the levels of other regions, their contribution adds to the overall total and reflects production structures more oriented towards other crops, such as olive groves in the case of Jaén.
Overall, the start of the year puts January 2026 as the third best January in the historical series For the Andalusian agri-food sector, this is despite the overall 6,5% decrease in exports. The strong performance of legumes and vegetables is a significant factor in supporting this result.
Key markets and expanding new destinations
At the international level, the data reflects that The main European partners maintain a relatively stable behaviorGermany, France, the Netherlands and Italy show figures with slight decreases or stagnation, but the variations in value do not exceed 1,4%, indicating a continuity in the usual trade flows.
In contrast, the The United Kingdom is consolidating its position as a destination with clear growth. For Andalusian agri-food exports, including fresh vegetables, sales to this market reached €125,4 million in January, compared to €116,4 million in the same month of the previous year. This 7,8% increase confirms that, despite the post-Brexit context, the trade relationship remains very strong.
The evolution of China, where the value of Andalusian agri-food exports skyrockets by 50,7%Transactions increased from €8,3 million in January 2025 to €12,5 million a year later. Although the starting point is lower than in other destinations, the growth rate points to significant potential in the medium and long term.
Also Hungary ranks among the best-performing emerging marketsPurchases of Andalusian products rose by nearly 30%, reaching €11,8 million in January, compared to €9,1 million in the same period last year. These types of markets, less traditional than the major EU partners, are gaining importance within the export landscape.
Overall, the combination of mature markets that remain stable And new expanding destinations allow the Andalusian legume and vegetable sector to reduce risks and diversify its geographical exposure, something especially valued in a changing international context.
The assessment of the beginning of the year reveals that Legumes, vegetables and fresh fruit from Andalusia reinforce their role as a pillar of regional foreign tradeThe strong progress in zucchini, lettuce, eggplant and avocado, the export leadership of provinces such as Almería and the push from markets such as the United Kingdom, China or Hungary paint a picture in which horticultural specialization continues to be one of the community's great competitive advantages on the European and international stage.