Fruit Prices Increase by 5% While Vegetables Become More Affordable

Tue 4th Feb, 2025

In a recent analysis by the Agrarmarkt Informationsgesellschaft (AMI), it has been reported that fruit prices have risen by approximately 5% compared to the previous year. This increase affects a range of fruits, including apples, bananas, and blueberries. In contrast, vegetable prices have seen a decline of around 3% over the same period.

The rise in fruit prices can be attributed to a reduced supply, particularly evident in the apple harvest, which was lower than in the previous year. Additionally, the availability of blueberries from overseas was limited, only stabilizing in the latter half of the year. On the other hand, the decrease in vegetable prices is largely due to a normalization of prices after a particularly high level in 2023 for sought-after items like onions and carrots.

AMI expert Michael Koch noted that the average consumer prices for vegetables have decreased, leading to a 2% increase in the purchasing volume for vegetables in 2024. Conversely, the purchasing volume for fruits has only slightly increased by about 1%, as consumers are more cautious about spending on higher-priced fruit options.

Andreas Brügger, the Managing Director of the German Fruit Trade Association, highlighted that consumer behavior has shifted, especially regarding premium-priced fruits. After experiencing a boom in demand for high-quality products in previous years, shoppers are now gravitating towards more basic fruit and vegetable options, particularly when faced with prices exceeding ten euros per kilogram for items like gourmet tomatoes or berries.

This week, the fruit and vegetable industry is convening at the Fruit Logistica trade fair in Berlin, where approximately 80,000 professionals from over 140 countries are expected to attend. The mood among companies in the sector is mixed, as they continue to grapple with high operational costs related to labor, energy, pesticides, and fuel.

Furthermore, the industry is facing challenges from bureaucratic requirements, particularly in relation to labeling laws that mandate the disclosure of the country of origin for all ingredients in products like mixed salads. Brügger expressed concerns regarding the practicality of these regulations, especially when sourcing ingredients from different countries within Europe.

The impending ban on plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables by 2030 has also raised alarm among industry stakeholders, who feel that their concerns have not been adequately addressed by policymakers. They fear that such regulations could disrupt the internal market due to potential exceptions that individual countries might implement.

In Germany, a significant portion of fruits and vegetables is imported, with approximately 80% of fruits and 60% of vegetables coming from abroad. Although the recent governmental changes in the United States may not directly affect the German market, the implications of international trade policies remain a topic of concern for industry leaders.


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