These are the conclusions of the study European Statistics Handbook 2026, prepared as part of the international exhibition FRUIT LOGISTICA, writes EastFruit. Despite last year’s weather anomalies, the supply of fruit and vegetables on the European market remained stable and sufficient, while supply chains remained efficient and flexible.
Climate risks
In 2025, Southeast European countries took the brunt of negative weather conditions: late spring frosts, waves of droughts and extreme heat, heavy rainfall and floods. As a result, fruit, berry and grape harvests were reduced. In previous seasons, fruit farmers in southern and southwestern Europe experienced similar problems.
Due to abnormal frosts, overwintering of fruit plantations in many countries of Eastern and Central Europe was not very smooth this year.
These events once again emphasized the vulnerability of agriculture to climate change. Experts note that to maintain market stability, diversification of supply sources and flexibility of trade chains are becoming more and more important, allowing to quickly compensate for crop losses at the expense of alternative regions. Open communication with consumers is also important to explain the impact of climate factors on prices and product availability, according to the authors of the above-mentioned study.
Food inflation and changing preferences
Inflationary pressures have also had a notable impact on the fresh horticultural market. Food has made a significant contribution to the increase in the EU consumer price index in 2025.
According to preliminary data, the harmonized EU consumer price index from January to November was on average 2.4% higher than a year earlier. At the same time, the price index for fresh fruits and vegetables reached 151 points in November. In some months, the index exceeded 160 points, indicating high price volatility. However, a large apple harvest allowed price pressure to be somewhat reduced starting in September. Vegetables had less impact on inflation due to a relatively stable supply. In November 2025, the EU vegetable price index stood at 145 points, five points lower than in November of the previous year.
Fruit harvests in Europe declined, vegetable production stable
Total fruit production in the EU-27 in 2025 was 41.96 million tons, about 3% less than a year earlier. The reduction thus amounted to about 1.3 million tons.
Spring frosts significantly affected the production of seed and stone fruit crops in Southeast Europe. However, increased production of other fruit types partially compensated for these losses. Apples traditionally account for the largest share of European fruit production. According to estimates presented at the Prognosfruit Congress, the apple harvest in 2025 was close to the level of the previous season. Increased production in Austria, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands partially offset lower yields in countries affected by frosts, including Croatia, Greece, Hungary and Spain.
In contrast to fruit, vegetable production in Europe remained relatively stable in 2025. The total harvest was 58.12 million tons, only 0.3% less than a year earlier. Although the tomato crop was below the record level of 2024, this was offset by increased production of other vegetables, most notably onions and cabbage. Late-season vegetable crops such as cabbage and carrots also performed well thanks to favorable late season conditions.
The domestic market is the basis of trade
Most of the fruit and vegetables produced in Europe are sold on the EU domestic market. Exports outside the EU account for only about 17% of total fruit exports and 23% of vegetable exports.
In 2025, imports of vegetables from third countries amounted to 2.38 million tons, which is roughly the same as in the previous year. Meanwhile, fruit imports are much higher at 12.89 million tons, with bananas and other tropical fruits accounting for a significant share. The largest importers of fresh fruit in the EU are the Netherlands, Germany and France, while Germany and France lead in the vegetable segment. Overall, Germany remains the largest market for horticultural products in the EU.
