Despite mounting climate risks, rising costs and structural changes in production, the European fruit and vegetable sector continues to demonstrate resilience and strong adaptability. This is one of the key conclusions of the FRUIT LOGISTICA European Statistics Handbook 2026, a comprehensive analysis of market trends across the EU fresh produce sector, notes EastFruit.
According to the report, 2025 was marked by extreme weather conditions, shifts in consumer behaviour and regional production changes, yet overall supply of fresh produce remained relatively stable. This stability was supported by efficient domestic markets, flexible trade structures and the sector’s ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.
Climate extremes accelerate structural changes
Weather volatility remained one of the most significant challenges for the European fruit and vegetable industry in 2025. Spring frosts caused widespread crop losses, particularly in parts of south-eastern Europe. Later in the year, additional pressure came from heatwaves, droughts and flooding.
These climatic events highlight the growing vulnerability of agricultural production to climate change. Experts emphasize that maintaining market stability increasingly requires diversified supply chains and flexible sourcing strategies, allowing retailers and traders to quickly replace lost volumes from alternative regions.
Another important aspect is transparent communication with consumers, helping them understand how extreme weather events affect prices and product availability.
Rising living costs reshape consumer behaviour
Inflationary pressure also continued to influence the fresh produce market. Food prices contributed significantly to the rise in the EU consumer price index in 2025.
From January to November, the EU’s harmonised consumer price index increased by an average of 2.4% compared with the previous year, while the price index for fresh fruit and vegetables reached 151 points in November.
During some months, the index even exceeded 160 points, reflecting strong price volatility. However, a large apple harvest later in the season helped moderate fruit prices from September onwards.
Fresh vegetables had a smaller impact on inflation due to relatively stable supply. By November 2025, the EU vegetable price index stood at 145 points, slightly below the level of the previous year.
EU fruit harvest declines slightly
Total fruit production in the EU-27 reached 41.96 million tonnes in 2025, approximately 3% lower than in 2024, representing a decline of about 1.3 million tonnes.
Frost significantly affected pome and stone fruit production in parts of south-eastern Europe. However, higher output of other fruit categories partly compensated for these losses.
Apples remained by far the largest fruit crop in Europe. According to estimates presented at the Prognosfruit Congress, the 2025 apple harvest was broadly comparable to the previous season. Larger crops in countries such as Austria, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands offset reduced production in frost-affected regions including Croatia, Greece, Hungary and Spain.
Weather conditions also led to smaller harvests of citrus fruits, table grapes and some stone fruits compared with the previous year.
Vegetable production remains stable
In contrast to fruit, vegetable production across Europe remained largely stable. Total output reached 58.12 million tonnes, only 0.3% lower than the previous year.
The latest edition of the handbook also included processed tomatoes for the first time, increasing the overall production figures. While tomato output declined compared with the exceptionally large harvest of 2024, higher yields of other vegetables – particularly onions and cabbage – helped maintain overall stability.
Late-season vegetables such as cabbage and carrots also benefited from favourable growing conditions later in the year.
EU internal market dominates fresh produce trade
The European internal market continues to play the dominant role in the fresh produce trade. The majority of fruit and vegetables produced in Europe are consumed within the EU’s 27 member states.
Exports outside the EU account for roughly 17% of total fruit exports and 23% of vegetable exports. Imports from non-EU countries remain essential for certain products, particularly tropical fruit.
In 2025, the EU imported 12.89 million tonnes of fruit and 2.38 million tonnes of vegetables from third countries. The largest fruit import markets within the EU were the Netherlands, Germany and France, while Germany and France also ranked among the leading vegetable importers. Germany continues to be the most important destination market for fresh produce within the EU.
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