The European Commission announced, on Friday 18 October, the launch of the new European fruit and vegetable market observatory. “It will provide greater transparency and short-term analysis for the benefit of a key sector of European agriculture”, the Commission commented. Fruit and vegetables represent about 24% of the value of EU agricultural production.
The market observatory will be regularly updated with a wide range of market data such as prices, production and trade. These will be complemented by market analyses and reports (short and medium-term perspectives). Composed of market experts, the observatory will meet regularly to analyse the market situation.
The observatory will focus on the market for pome fruits (apples and pears), citrus fruits, stone fruits (peaches and nectarines) and tomatoes.
The Commission notes that after last season's difficult situation (citrus fruits, apples, pears), the current season is looking better. The low harvest of these products has led to a recovery in prices.
There are European observatories for cereals, sugar, meat and milk.
The wine market observatory will be launched on 4 November. The Commission has designed these observatories to help the EU agricultural sector to cope more effectively with market volatility. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)