FRUIT LOGISTICA publishes European Statistics Handbook 2022

The new issue of the European Statistics Handbook 2022 is available for download on the FRUIT LOGISTICA website. In preparation of the world's leading trade fair for the fruit trade, being held from 5 to 7 April 2022, the publication not only offers current figures, but also grounded analyses that help the industry understand production, supplier, and trader data in a wide range of European markets. The European Handbook 2022 now includes Portugal, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania. The latter four EU members in south-eastern Europe hold great production potential that has, up until now, only partially been tapped. The five most important insights from the European Statistics Handbook 2022 are: 1. Following a slump in off-trade demand in the first year of the pandemic, the situation in Europe alleviated somewhat in 2021, although the pre-2020 level was not yet reached. A further increase in the retail sale of fresh fruit and vegetables was thus not expected. In fact, preliminary results from various European countries indicate a stagnation or slight dip in sale quantities, but are still well above the level from 2019. Consumer spending increased slightly. 2. The usual weather-induced issues remained in 2021. Frost in southern Europe decimated the local stone fruit harvest, while heavy rain in Western Europe in mid-July impacted vegetable supplies in particular. These shortages result in price hikes, which were frequently reported on in the press. 3. Yet prices, especially the costs of energy and fertiliser, increased more significantly, coupled with a spike in wages. Producers and traders are thus in a more secure position than they were one year ago, in spite of price increases. Higher energy prices were worrying the producers involved in protected cultivation in North-western Europe, resulting in later planting times for the 2022 season. 4. Increased logistics costs and an unprecedented scarcity of containers threaten the external trade of many export-oriented countries. However, the effects will only be quantifiable later on, as there were no noteworthy restrictions in 2021. 5. The effects of Brexit on the flows of goods were less considerable than originally feared, and deliveries from the mainland to the island nation decreased only slightly. The European Statistics Handbook 2022 was created by the Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI) in conjunction with Fruitnet Media International. It was published by FRUIT LOGISTICA, which will be held in Berlin in early April. It can be downloaded free of charge here. About FRUIT LOGISTICAFRUIT LOGISTICA is the leading trade show for the global fresh produce business, and represents the entire value added chain for the fresh produce industry from producer to point of sale. More than 3,300 exhibitors from 91 countries presented their products, services and technical solutions at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2020. Around 73,000 vendors and trade visitors from 135 countries took part in the event. The next FRUIT LOGISTICA will be held in Berlin from 5 to 7 April 2022. About Messe BerlinBerlin has been a trade fair destination for 200 years, and has been one of the most important such hubs for many decades. Messe Berlin – the state’s own trade fair company – conceives, markets and organises hundreds of live events every year. It strives to be an outstanding host for visitors at all events, generate optimal business stimuli, and provide fair conditions for everyone. This concept is reflected in the company slogan: Messe Berlin – Hosting the World.