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By Francisco Cortez

Majorcan produce exports have slumped during the first eight months of this year, mainly due to the low demand from the region’s main customers, some of Europe’s largest countries.

Palma.—While the overall export figures remain positive due to the large variety of produce the region has to offer footwear, potatoes, Locust bean gum, pearls and essential oil exports slumped considerably with  potatoes (30 percent) and pearls (57 percent) showing the main losses.
Business representatives from these sectors showed their concern over the situation yesterday, saying the effects of the recession in  global trade continues to have an impact on sales.
Germany’s shrinking economy and the loss in confidence from consumers in the United Kingdom, Italy and France, some of the region’s top customers, have been pointed out  as the main reasons  behind the recent decline in export figures.
On the other hand, and to balance overall export figures  sales of wine, liqueur,     bathroom fitting s  and furniture were  up. According to data revealed yesterday by the national tax office (AEAT), the latter two in particular have seen a recent surge in demand, manly due to the growing development of the tourist industry in the Caribbean and Cape Verde.