Brussels, 02/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - The consumption of fruit and vegetables continued to fall in the EU in 2012, by 8.2% compared to the previous year, according to the annual report by the European fresh produce association, Freshfel, which was published on 28 April. This report also flags up an increase in exports.
On average, Europeans ate just 386.96 grammes of fresh fruit and vegetables in 2012, which is below the threshold of 400 grammes laid down by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Freshfel comments in its most recent annual report. Fruit has suffered the most, with consumption falling by 11.8% compared to 2011 figures, alongside a 5.4% drop in vegetable consumption. The general decline is 8.2% compared to 2001 and 8.7% compared to the average over the period 2007-2011.
Competition and changing lifestyles
The organisation says that this decline can be put down partly to changing lifestyles and fierce competition in the agri-food sector, including the niche market for products presented as fresh (fruit juice, soups, etc.). The fact that people see fruit and vegetables as expensive and concerns over their chemical treatment may also be a factor, says Philippe Binard, Delegate General of Freshfel. Products with the greatest added value, such as mangoes and avocados, have shored up the sector the most, he added.
Drop in production and imports, increase in exports
Production in the EU (-12% for fruits, - 6% for vegetables in 2012 compared to 2011) and imports from third countries (-3%) also continued to fall in 2012, whilst exports grew by 17% for fruit and 8% for vegetables (corresponding to an increase of 39% and 20% respectively compared to the average over the previous five years). In order to support European production and consumption, the EU has just increased the budget earmarked for promoting fruit and vegetables and other agricultural products on the internal market and the export market. The European Commission additionally tabled a proposal in late January to combine two Community programmes promoting the consumption of fruit and milk in schools into a single framework. Amongst other things, it suggests reinforcing the educational aspects. Freshfel, like the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), feels that it is too early to merge the two programmes, calling on the Council of the EU and the European Parliament to “defend the identity and aims of the regime for the distribution of fruit in schools”. (LC)