EU fruit and vegetable producers received €1.06 billion in 2023

A report from the European Court of Auditors reveals that producer organizations in the fruit and vegetable sector absorbed €1.06 billion in EU support in 2023. While these funds have aided modernization, cost reduction, and turnover increases, the report highlights a steady decline in the number of participating farmers.

Data shows that membership in producer organizations has dropped significantly, with 187,372 members recorded in 2024 compared to 312,823 in 2012. This decline in organizational membership has occurred at a rate nearly double that of the overall decline in fruit and vegetable farming. The report notes that bureaucratic hurdles and strict eligibility criteria often exclude small-scale farmers, contributing to a lack of bargaining power against supermarket chains.