EU Trade: Processors Demand Fair Play

European Fruit, Vegetable and Tomato processing industry calls for stronger trade protections amid rising import pressures.

PROFEL, TomatoEurope and AETMD are sounding the alarm over the rapidly intensifying import pressure on Europe’s fruit, vegetable and tomato processing industry. An increasing volume of third-country products is entering the EU market under conditions that fail to ensure fair competition and do not guarantee an equivalent level of consumer health protection. Imports that are not subject to the EU’s strict requirements on pesticide residues, food safety, environmental and labour standards undermine the integrity of the Single Market and threaten Europe’s food security. The associations therefore call on the European Commission to fully assume its responsibility and take immediate and decisive action.

European producers adhere to the world’s most rigorous standards covering traceability, food safety, pesticide limits, environmental regulations, and labor protections. However, they face increasing competition from third-country imports that often bypass these strict requirements, resulting in significantly lower production costs. This disparity not only jeopardizes the resilience of Europe’s food supply chain but also risks undermining the EU’s strategic autonomy in food production.

Recent trade data from Eurostat highlights the severity of the situation. Imports of frozen fruit and vegetables from China and Egypt, for example, have seen a dramatic increase in recent years, now accounting for a significant share of total EU imports. These trends are not isolated; they reflect a broader pattern of rising imports from countries with less stringent regulatory frameworks.

Tomato derivatives imported from Egypt illustrate persistent structural weaknesses in EU import controls. Repeated border inspections have identified serious non-compliance with EU maximum pesticide residue limits, posing potential risks to consumer health. These concerns are further compounded by the fact that Egypt is not required to comply with EU pesticide approval rules, farming practices, or environmental and labour standards. At the same time, limited supply-chain transparency raises serious questions regarding labour conditions.

In response, the associations are urging the European Commission to take immediate action:

• Strengthening Border Inspections: Rigorous inspections must be implemented to ensure all imports comply with EU standards, particularly regarding pesticide residues. This step is critical to protect both consumers and EU producers from environmental and social dumping.

• Prioritizing Sustainable and Fair Products in Public Procurement: Public procurement policies should align with the Vision for Agriculture and Food, giving preference to preserved fruit and vegetables that uphold European values of quality, sustainability, and fairness.

• Supporting EU Industry Competitiveness: Targeted assistance is needed to help EU producers innovate, reduce costs, and access new markets, ensuring they remain competitive on a global scale.

• Reciprocity of production standards in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): FTAs should present an opportunity to introduce effective measures ensuring reciprocity of production standards, safeguarding EU producers investment in increased sustainability and quality.

Source: TomatoEurope