The tariff dismantling agreed for fresh fruit and vegetables imported by the EU from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay provides for almost free access to the EU market.
According to the agreement adopted in December 2024, which forms the basis of the deal now endorsed by the EU and includes, as a novelty, safeguard mechanisms, the dismantling foresees the elimination of ad valorem duties — tariffs applied to the value of the goods. Depending on the product, this elimination will be implemented in three phases from the entry into force of the agreement:
Products currently subject to tariffs below 5% will see duties eliminated upon entry into force of the agreement.
Products with tariffs between 5.1% and 10% will see duties phased out over a four-year transitional period, in equal annual instalments from the entry into force of the agreement.
Products with tariffs above 10.1% will see duties phased out over a seven-year transitional period, also in equal annual instalments from the entry into force of the agreement.
This tariff dismantling is expected to further increase the trade deficit in fresh fruit and vegetables between the EU and Mercosur, which is already negative for the EU, particularly given that these countries are also major producers.
EU exports of fresh fruit and vegetables to Mercosur totalled 201,503 tonnes in 2024, with a value of €255 million. Apples and pears were the leading products exported by the EU in this category, accounting for 111,209 tonnes and €134 million, according to Eurostat data processed by FEPEX.
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By contrast, EU imports from Mercosur amounted to 759,843 tonnes with a value of €984 million. Products under tariff chapter 0807 — mainly melons, watermelons and papayas — were the most imported, with 278,253 tonnes worth €269 million. These were followed by dates, figs and pineapples (tariff chapter 0804), with 195,113 tonnes valued at €308 million, and citrus fruit (tariff chapter 0805), with 187,902 tonnes and €207 million.
Spain also records a negative trade balance with Mercosur countries. From January to October 2025, Spanish exports of fruit and vegetables to the region totalled 31,545 tonnes, a 36% decline, while imports reached 159,785 tonnes.
Looking at the last full year, 2024, Spanish exports of fresh fruit and vegetables to Mercosur stood at 63,000 tonnes worth €80 million, while imports amounted to 193,000 tonnes and €248 million, up 9%.
Regarding market access for EU produce in Mercosur, these countries currently require the negotiation of phytosanitary protocols for each type of fruit and vegetable to be exported from the EU, which significantly hinders access to these markets. This situation does not change under the new agreement, meaning that entry for EU products is not facilitated.
As for the safeguard clauses adopted — the main change in the agreement endorsed by the EU last Friday compared with the version signed in December 2024 — these measures are positive in line with sector demands to protect the EU market in the event of excessive imports. However, FEPEX warns that they are extremely difficult to apply and, in other existing trade agreements, have not been effectively implemented.
