While imports to Europe should not be viewed as a threat to European producers, a better trade balance is required to ensure reciprocity. In recent years, we have had a debate in the European fresh produce sector about the volumes of fruit that are being imported from outside our borders, but the reality is that less than 20 per cent of the fruits and vegetables that are sold in Europe are not produced here. The great part of the imported fruit is accounted for by bananas and tropical fruits, littleor none of which are produced within the EU 27 group of countries and the great majority of which corresponds to counter-seasonal supply.
展开▼
