European Market for Fruit and Vegetables

This volume presents a detailed analysis of the European market for fruit and vegetables and implications for European trade within the European Economic Community and for other countries which can benefit from participation in this trade. The book draws attention to the role of exporters, the Netherlands and the Mediterranean countries, the markets in West Germany and the United Kingdom and the market for developing countries. Whilst the level of exports of fruit and vegetables of the EEC and the United States of America is similar, imports to the EEC are considerably greater. The trade policy for fruit and vegetables of the EEC, the United States of America and Japan are discussed. There are several important export and import countries within the EEC which strongly influence the market. The author analyzes factors within these countries that explain the existing production or trade. The West German sector, which imports more fruit and vegetables than any other country, is examined. The United Kingdom is covered in the following chapter, relying heavily on domestic producers for vegetables, but looking overseas for much of its fruit. The Netherlands is the outstanding North Temperate exporter and has the efficient Dutch auction system which makes the country a major marketing and redistribution centre for both domestic and imported fresh produce. The Mediterranean exporters - Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal - are covered next. Each of these countries has a different production and distribution system that leads to different export practices. The final chapter provides a review of global marketing opportunities for developing countries. The EEC protection, non-tariff as well as tariff, of fruit and vegetables is a handicap to the economic growth of developing countries, where fruit and vegetables frequently make an important contribution to exports. Developing countries are also disadvantaged in the production side. It is most important to improve and develop an infrastructure and the training of potential producers. It is encouraging that recent market surveys do show a promising potential market for developing countries.