FRUIT LOGISTICA European Statistics Handbook 2026 reveals that the sector is under increasing pressure due to climate, market and structural changes. However, it is also demonstrating remarkable adaptability. The year 2025 was characterised by extreme weather events, changing consumer behaviour, and shifts in regional production. Despite these challenges, overall supply remained stable, supported by functioning domestic markets, flexible trade structures and an efficient industry.
Climatic extremes accelerate structural adjustments
Extreme weather events once again impacted fruit and vegetable production in Europe in 2025. Spring frosts caused widespread crop failure, particularly in south-eastern Europe. As the year progressed, heatwaves, droughts and floods exacerbated the situation further. These events highlight the vulnerability of agriculture to climate change. It is crucial that the market responds flexibly to such challenges.
Closing supply gaps and minimising 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 harmonised consumer price index was, on average, 2.4 per cent 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 tonnes, the EU-27’s fruit harvest in 2025 was around 3% lower than the previous year. This equates to a shortfall of around 1.3 million tonnes 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.
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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 the previous year’s. 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 tonnes of vegetables were harvested across Europe. This was just 0.3% (169,000 tonnes) 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 tonnes compared to the previous year.
However, 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 gained weight late in the season. Significantly larger quantities were also harvested in the other vegetable groups than in the previous year.
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% of total fruit exports and 23% 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 tonnes. The volume of imported fruit is greater. Bananas and other exotic fruits, in particular, often come from overseas.
A total of 12.89 million tonnes 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.
Reliable data as a strategic compass for the industry
The European Statistics Handbook 2026 offers more than just figures. Despite growing uncertainties, it sends a clear message that the European fruit and vegetable sector remains efficient, adaptable and robust. This reliable publication confirms Europe’s central role as a stable market in an increasingly volatile global environment, offering a sound basis for strategic decision-making.
Published by FRUIT LOGISTICA and produced by Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI), the European Statistics Handbook is created in cooperation with its official media partner, Fruitnet Media International.
