EU greenhouse vegetable import trends

European Union imports of greenhouse vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, have seen a significant increase of 60.1% when comparing the 2015–2017 period to 2023–2025. This growth is driven by an accelerated shift toward greenhouse cultivation and rising yields per hectare. Morocco and Turkey have become the primary suppliers, collectively accounting for 65% to 91% of total imports depending on the specific vegetable.

Data from the first half of 2026 indicates a deepening dependency on Moroccan produce. In the pepper sector, Morocco accounted for approximately 95% of Spain’s total imports, totaling 79.01 million kilos. This represents a 134.15% increase in Moroccan pepper exports to Spain compared to the same period in 2017. The total expenditure for these pepper imports reached 125.68 million euros, with an average cost of 1.47 euros per kilo.

Broadening the scope to all fruit and vegetable imports, Morocco remains the leading non-EU supplier to Spain. During the first half of 2026, Moroccan exports to Spain reached approximately 950 million euros, a 6% increase over the previous year. While the export value rose, the total volume exceeded 351,000 tons, marking a 7% decrease in quantity year-on-year. Overall, Spain’s fruit and vegetable imports for the first six months of 2026 totaled roughly 3.086 billion euros, with a volume of 2.5 million tons. Data indicates a significant shift in the supply chain, with non-EU countries accounting for 72% of the total value of imports, despite representing only 54% of the total volume. Other major non-EU suppliers to Spain include Peru, Costa Rica, and Brazil. Within the EU, France remains the top supplier, providing over 211 million euros worth of products. The surge in Moroccan imports continues to raise questions regarding the future of domestic production in Spanish regions like Almería and Murcia.