exportsTomato, potato and onion are the main vegetables purchased from third countries.

EU imports of fresh vegetables from non-EU countries stood at 1,3 million tons in the first half of 2015, a 5% less than in the same period of the previous year, according to the latest Eurostat data, being Morocco, Israel and Egypt the main suppliers.

The EU imported from Morocco 428.396 tons of vegetables in the first half of 2015, a 5% less than in the same period of 2014. Tomato has been the main vegetable purchased by the EU from this country with 228.379 tons (-7%), represented the 81% of the total extra-EU tomato imports. It follows, at a great distance, the green bean with 81.456 tons (-2%).

Community imports from Israel stood at 229.991 tons, a 2% more than in the first semester of 2014, being the potato is the main imported product with 137.732 tons (-4%) and the carrot/turnips with 44.706 tons (+34%).

Regarding Egypt, Community imports stood at 228.126 tons (+12%), of which 150.886 tons corresponded to potatoes, mainly early, which recorded a growth of 26%. The import of onion also stood out, which was located in 54.533 tons.

On the whole, Community imports of vegetables from third countries stood at 1,3 million tons in the first half of 2015, a 5% less than in the same period of 2014, according to the latest data updated until June from the EU Statistical Office, Eurostat, processed by FEPEX.

By products, papa, tomato and onion are the main imported vegetables. Potato imports stood at 296.645 tons (+7%), the tomato totaled 281.452 tons (-11%) and the onion totaled 230.124 tons (-15%).

In the evolution of community imports of vegetables from third countries, it is necessary to consider, on the one hand, the adverse weather conditions in countries like Morocco, that affected the production and, on the other hand, the orientation of exports from these countries to the Russian market, taking advantage of the closure, since August 2014, to fruit and vegetable imports from the EU, according to FEPEX.