Retail chain Lidl has exported 27,000 tons of Portuguese fruits and vegetables to 11 countries in 2022 in a joint campaign with Portugal Fresh, it was announced on Monday.
In a statement released on the occasion of World Agriculture Day, Lidl, part of the German Schwarz group, highlights the 23% increase in this indicator compared to 2021, “thereby confirming the retailer’s support for national producers.”
A total of 1,533 fruit and vegetable trucks from 505 producers in Portugal left the country for markets in Germany, France, Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, the UK and Ireland.
Rocha do Oeste pear was the main export product with 16,000 tons, followed by 4,000 tons of cabbage, 2,000 tons of stone fruits and another 2,000 tons of citrus fruits from the Algarve, 1,400 tons of red fruits and 90 tons of applesauce. Alcobaça – the latter was only exported to Spain in November and December.
In addition to these products, pumpkin, plum, chestnut, white cabbage and melon were also exported.
“The evolution of indicators is proof that our mission has been successful and that the national products are of excellent quality. The partnership we have maintained with Portugal Fresh since 2014 has enabled us to make a difference in our partners’ businesses. Lidl Portugal Director of Fruits and Vegetables, Pierre Silva, cited in the document.
Portugal Fresh announced in February that Portuguese exports of fruits, vegetables and flowers reached a record value of 2040 million euros in 2022, up 15.6% compared to 2021.
The statement from the Association for the Promotion of Fruits, Vegetables and Flowers in Portugal also mentions that according to data released on Monday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), international sales in this sector increased by 13.6%, to 1.835 million kg.
Last year, the main exported products were processed tomatoes (€330m), small fruits (€260m), citrus fruits (€172m), pears (€111m) and fresh tomatoes (€79m).
In terms of markets, Spain is still the largest buyer of fruits, vegetables and flowers in Portugal with a weight of 35%, followed by France, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and Belgium as the main national trade destinations. production in 2022.
In total, the European Union absorbs 80% of all cluster exports.
Established in December 2010 with the aim of “enhancing the Portuguese origin and characteristics of national products, and promoting fruits, vegetables and flowers in domestic and foreign markets”, Portugal Fresh has 87 members representing over 4,500 Portuguese producers.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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