In April 2010, Freshfel Europe has released the latest edition of its Freshfel Consumption Monitor, analysing trends in the production, trade and supply of fresh fruits and vegetables across the EU-27, as well as consumption information in Norway, Switzerland and the USA. The Consumption Monitor was developed by the Freshfel Working Group on Promotion, Communication and Image chaired by Dr Laurence Swan, under the auspices of the Freshfel Supply Chain and Retail Division. This study is part of the actions undertaken by Freshfel in the framework of the EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. Freshfel is the member of the platform representing the fruit and vegetables sector at European level.

The Fresh fruit and vegetable production, trade, supply & consumption monitor in the EU-27 is the seventh edition of the report, and it covers the period 2003 to 2008. The Monitor identifies a number of EU-wide trends, including specific information on fresh fruit and vegetable supply and consumption trends in all EU-27 Member States. Findings from the Consumption Monitor show that in 2008, total gross supply of fruit per capita stand at 95,5 kg (compared to an average of 96,2 kg over the previous five years), and total vegetable gross supply per capita stand at 103,5 kg (compared to an average of 120,7 kg over the previous five years). This represents an increase in 2008 in gross supply by 1% for fruits and a decrease by 13% for vegetables, when compared to the average for the previous five years.

The Consumption Monitor constitutes an important instrument for both public and private stakeholders. According to Ramon Rey, Freshfel’s President, “the monitor contains an impressive source of information on trends in the EU-27 Member States and also identifies consolidated EU trends. It is a unique report and a valuable tool for companies in the fresh produce sector and public sector alike.”

“Although consumption data should only be understood as a trend indication, rather than the precise amount of fresh produce really consumed by the population, on average the trend indicators in the monitor also confirm that around half of EU Member States remain below or just above the 400 grams a day minimum recommended by the World Health Organisation. Besides the overall declining trends, it also shows that important efforts remain to be made in order to bring consumption up to satisfactory and healthy levels across all EU Member States” stated Philippe Binard, General Delegate of Freshfel.

Copies of the ‘Freshfel Consumption Monitor 2009’ (148 pages) are available from the Freshfel Secretariat. Freshfel Members receive the report free of charge; non-members are asked to pay a price of €400. The document includes the following sections:

1. total gross supply of fruit and vegetables in the EU-27 including trends in production, exports and imports of fruit and vegetables;
2. a comparative review of consumption trends across the EU-27;
3. a review of the total gross supply, trends in production, exports and imports of fruit and vegetables in the countries of the EU-27; and
4. consumption trends in Norway, Switzerland and the USA.

You can order the “Freshfel Consumption Monitor 2009” by downloading the document below or by filling the electronic form. (All fields are mandatory)

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