European fresh produce sector in 2025: Resilience amid climate extremes and rising costs

The European fresh produce industry had quite a dynamic 2025, a year marked by extreme weather events, changing consumer behavior, and shifts in regional production. However, overall supply remained stable, supported by functioning domestic markets, flexible trade structures, and an efficient industry.

These are some of the insights included in the Fruit Logistica European Statistics Handbook 2026, released by the event organization ahead of the event ending today in Berlin. 

The document identifies the biggest trends driving the fruit business in the Old Continent, and reveals a sector under increasing pressure, but demonstrating remarkable adaptability. 

Despite growing uncertainties, the handbook sends a clear message that the European fruit and vegetable sector remains efficient, adaptable, and robust. 

Climatic extremes accelerate structural adjustments

Spring frosts caused widespread crop failure, particularly in south-eastern Europe, and as the year progressed, heatwaves, droughts, and floods exacerbated the situation further. These events highlight the vulnerability of agriculture to climate change, making it crucial for markets to respond flexibly to such challenges. 

Closing supply gaps and minimizing price fluctuations requires diversifying supply chains and adapting quickly to alternative sources of supply. Open communication with consumers is also necessary to promote understanding of the impact of such events on prices and availability. 

In the long term, this could lead to greater acceptance of necessary market adjustments.

High cost of living changes consumer priorities

The cost of living for consumers in EU countries continues to rise. According to preliminary data, food disproportionately contributed to this increase in 2025, while energy prices were slightly lower. 

From January to November, the EU's harmonized consumer price index was, on average, 2.4 percent higher than in the previous year. The consumer price index for fresh fruit and vegetables reached 151 points in November. During individual months of the year, this value rose to over 160 points. 

However, due to the extensive apple harvest, this figure weakened from September onwards. Thanks to the generally good supply situation, fresh vegetables contributed less than average to inflation. 

In November 2025, the price index for the EU as a whole stood at 145 points. This was five points lower than in November of the previous year. Nevertheless, since consumer prices for vegetables were significantly higher in March and April than the previous year, there was still an overall increase for the year as a whole.

Fruit harvest declining: Regional differences shape the picture

At 41.96 million tons, the EU-27's fruit harvest in 2025 was around three percent lower than the previous year. This equates to a shortfall of around 1.3 million tons compared to 2024. 

The impact of frost on pome and stone fruit in south-eastern Europe was largely offset by larger harvests of other fruit varieties, resulting in an overall negligible impact. Across Europe, more watermelons and cantaloupes were harvested than in the previous year. 

Apples accounted for the largest share of the European fruit harvest by far. At the Prognosfruit Congress, the 2025 apple harvest was estimated to be similar to that of the previous year. Significantly higher harvest volumes in Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands were offset by lower harvest volumes in countries affected by frost, such as Croatia, Greece, Hungary, and Spain. 

Adverse weather conditions resulted in a smaller citrus fruit harvest in 2025 than in the previous year. The same applies to table grapes and stone fruit. However, cherries, apricots, and plums, which were badly affected by frost in some regions, do not feature among the ten most important types of fruit in the EU in terms of volume

Vegetable production shows stability and resilience

A total of around 58.12 million tons of vegetables were harvested across Europe. This was just 0.3 percent (169,000 tons) less than the previous year. 

This year's edition of the ESHB took the production of processed tomatoes into account for the first time. Consequently, both the reported tomato harvest and the total vegetable harvest are higher than in previous publications. 

Following an exceptionally large tomato harvest in 2024, however, there was a shortfall of around 1.2 million tons compared to the previous year. This is not reflected in the overall result due to higher harvests of other vegetable types, particularly onions and cabbage. 

Late-cropping vegetables such as cabbage and carrots often gain weight late in the season. Significantly larger quantities were also harvested in the other vegetable groups than in the previous year.

The internal market remains the backbone of trade

Most of Europe's fruit and vegetable harvest remains within the EU's 27 member states.  Recently, exports to countries outside the EU accounted for around 17 percent of total fruit exports and 23 percent of total vegetable exports. 

In 2025, imports of vegetables from outside the EU remained at a similar level to the previous year, at 2.38 million tons. The volume of imported fruit is greater. Bananas and other exotic fruits, in particular, often come from overseas. A total of 12.89 million tons of fruit were imported into the EU from non-EU countries. 

The EU-27's most important importers of fresh fruit are the Netherlands, Germany, and France. However, in terms of vegetable imports, Germany and France are ahead of the Netherlands. 

Overall, Germany has confirmed its position as the most important target market within the EU-27.

Related stories

Avocado consumers in Europe focus on health

Beyond China: Chilean cherries arrive in the US and Europe amid market expansion

European strawberry market shows strengths amid rising challenges, says Freshfel