Proexport (Asociación de Productores‑Exportadores de Frutas y Hortalizas de la Región de Murcia) is one of Spain’s most influential agricultural associations, representing over 50 companies engaged in the production and international export of fresh fruits and vegetables. Based in Murcia, one of Europe's most productive agri-food regions, Proexport serves as a unified platform that advocates, promotes, and supports growers and exporters from the Region of Murcia, enabling them to reach over 60 international markets with premium quality produce.
Core Business
Established to coordinate and represent the interests of fresh produce exporters, Proexport’s key responsibilities include:
- Export promotion and market access support for regional fruit and vegetable producers.
- Policy and regulatory advocacy at national and European levels.
- Technical and agronomic innovation dissemination across member organizations.
- Training, sustainability programs, and certification guidance for growers and packers.
- Participation in international trade fairs, exhibitions, and diplomatic missions.
Proexport acts as a central coordinating body, empowering its members with knowledge, resources, and international exposure while advocating for sustainable, competitive, and high-quality agriculture.
Product and Service Offerings
Proexport does not produce or sell directly, but facilitates trade, promotion, and regulation of its members’ produce, which includes:
Key Product Categories from Member Companies:
- Leafy Vegetables: Iceberg lettuce, romaine, baby leaf, escarole, endive
- Brassicas: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage
- Fruit Vegetables: Tomatoes (round, cherry, plum), peppers, cucumbers, zucchinis
- Melons and Watermelons: Including Galia, Cantaloupe, Piel de Sapo
- Citrus Fruits: Lemons, mandarins
- Stone Fruits: Peaches, nectarines, apricots
- Grapes: Seedless table grapes
Proexport’s services to its members include:
- Trade mission coordination and export development
- Sectoral sustainability initiatives and certifications
- Research collaborations with agricultural R&D institutions
- Digital and multimedia campaigns under “Proexport Spain” branding
- Regulatory compliance and representation before EU bodies and the Spanish government
Specialization and USP
Proexport is recognized for its:
- Deep-rooted presence in the Region of Murcia, which produces over 25% of Spain’s fresh vegetables and is the EU’s leading lettuce-exporting region.
- Export focus, with members shipping over 80% of their production to international markets.
- Integrated sustainability strategy, including responsible water use, biodiversity conservation, and carbon footprint reduction.
- Representation across the entire value chain, from smallholder cooperatives to large vertically integrated producers.
Its unique strength is the ability to provide collective commercial intelligence, technical support, and lobbying power, tailored to Murcia's agri-export sector.
Financial and Export Insights
Proexport member companies play a major role in Spain’s fresh produce export economy:
- Over 1 million tonnes of fresh produce exported annually by member companies.
- Total export value from members surpasses €1.3 billion per year.
- Key destinations include Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Italy, Scandinavia, and the Middle East.
- Spain ranks as Europe’s largest exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables, and Proexport members account for a significant share of that volume, especially in leafy greens and broccoli.
Murcia alone exported 2.7 million tonnes of vegetables in 2023, with lettuce accounting for more than 70% of that volume, and Proexport members are key contributors to these figures.
Target Market
Proexport enables its members to reach:
- Retail chains and supermarket groups across Europe and the UK.
- Wholesale markets and foodservice distributors in over 60 countries.
- Importers and category managers seeking certified, traceable, and seasonal fresh produce.
- Institutional buyers focused on sustainable and safe fresh fruit and vegetable supply chains.
The association also targets policymakers, NGOs, and trade groups to foster dialogue around sustainable agriculture and food policy.
Capabilities
- Experienced technical and regulatory staff supporting over 50 member companies.
- Dedicated sustainability division managing certifications such as GLOBALG.A.P., GRASP, LEAF, and ISO.
- Strategic communication team promoting Murcia produce via social media, publications, and trade media.
- Access to advanced research and development through collaboration with IMIDA, CEBAS-CSIC, and national universities.
- Participation in leading global trade shows, including Fruit Logistica, Fruit Attraction, and Food Africa.
These capabilities enable Proexport to keep members globally competitive and compliant with evolving buyer standards.
Certifications and Compliance
Through Proexport’s support, member companies regularly achieve:
- GLOBALG.A.P. and GRASP compliance
- Organic certification (EU/USDA standards)
- ISO 14001 environmental management systems
- IFS and BRC certifications for packhouses and cold chain operations
- Zero Residue and Sustainable Farming Labels promoted under regional programs
The association also supports EU Green Deal goals by promoting eco-efficient farming and climate-smart agriculture across its network.
Major Achievements
- Played a key role in positioning Murcia as Europe’s “vegetable garden” with consistent, high-quality exports year-round.
- Coordinated over 20 annual international promotional events and trade missions across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
- Led the industry’s transition to sustainable irrigation and precision agriculture in Murcia.
- Participated in EU-funded projects on agri-innovation, food safety, and climate resilience.
- Created a centralized digital promotion platform with videos, campaigns, and grower stories under the Proexport TV YouTube channel and social media.
Customer Testimonials
Though Proexport is not a commercial seller, feedback from trade partners and institutional collaborators underscores its value:
- “Proexport is a cornerstone of Spain’s produce export system—technical, strategic, and always forward-looking.”
- “Their members are reliable, certified, and proactive in food safety and sustainability.”
- “Working with Proexport gives us confidence in Murcia’s supply chain consistency and integrity.”
These endorsements reinforce Proexport’s reputation as a trusted representative of one of Europe’s most dynamic fresh produce regions.
