In light of the unprecedented soar in energy prices, Freshfel Europe is calling authorities for action to
mitigate the far-reaching impact on the fruit and vegetable sector. Fresh produce businesses are at risk of
serious economic hardship, and even bankruptcy, because of high electricity and gas prices combined with
other rising prices of production inputs, services and logistics. These increases can hardly be absorbed in
the chain anymore due to short margins and have so far not been passed down to consumers.
Fresh fruit production and distribution requires energy for different purposes throughout the supply chain.
The amount of energy used, and when, depends on the product and its destination in the market. Outdoor
production requires electricity for proper irrigation, indoor production requires temperature management
and appropriate lighting. Packing and storage facilities need to have certain levels of cooling and temperature
controlled atmosphere, as do ripening facilities. Logistics and transportation require energy as well. Equally,
distribution centres and retailers need to ensure fitting conditions to provide consumers with fresh and safe
products.
In this energy crunch, fresh produce operators face different contractual conditions, and their energy
dependency might vary. To this end, they are operating in an unlevel playing field among the different
national energy markets in the EU. Some fresh produce operators are facing electricity bills up to ten times
higher than the previous year. Soaring energy prices are adding significant economic pressure on the
European fresh produce sector which operates within very tight margins. As consumer purchasing power
declines because of their own higher energy bills, Freshfel Europe is also noting a sharp decline of fresh
produce consumption by 10% in the last months. This is further exacerbating profitability challenges of the
fresh produce sector. Economic hardship or even bankruptcy of operators is likely if remedies are not found
rapidly.
Freshfel Europe is voicing the sector’s energy concerns to decision makers. Philippe Binard, Freshfel Europe
General Delegate commented, “We are estimating the sector’s added energy costs to be around €6,8 billion
for the current season from orchards up to departure of fresh produce at packing stations. Besides this, each
product category might also have additional energy costs in the chain. For example, should apple storage
trends remain unchanged, we have calculated that such added bills could be close to €200 million for the
coming season”. This new energy cost comes on top of other rising costs noted in the last year for production
inputs, services and logistics, which have already been observed following the COVID pandemic and its
ensuing disruptive aspects. Freshfel Europe warned earlier that the sector in the last year suffered annually
added costs of around €10 billion.
Retail prices of other food sectors have recently inflated by 15 to 20%, passing these added costs to
consumers. Such a transfer has not been reflected yet in fruit and vegetable prices to final consumers. While
fresh produce remains one of the most affordable and nutritious among the different food categories, its
position is now at risk. This is alarming considering the essential role of fruit and vegetables, part of the
solution in reaching EU sustainability targets in the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy and Fit for
55 Packgage, and securing the better health objective of the EU Beating Cancer Plan.
Freshfel Europe is also raising attention to the collateral effects of the energy crunch. Product freshness,
quality, and safety may be at risk without proper temperature-controlled storage and microbiological
contamination risk will be heightened if cold chains are cut. This will in turn have a negative impact on
sustainability as food waste will increase. Mr Binard stressed, “Our sector needs to be classified as an essential
sector and be excluded from any potential energy cuts. This will ensure its ability to perform its essential
function in the delivery of quality and safe fresh produce to consumers”.
Market fluidity may be altered in the coming months. Growers are confronted with difficult decisions to
harvest, store or process products based on their expected capacity to support energy bills. Fresh produce
market stability will also be influenced by trends in the frozen and processed fruit and vegetable sectors and
essential oils, which are all also sensitive to energy consumption. In the medium term, food security is at risk
due to ability of growers and traders to be economically sustainable throughout the energy crisis. Mr Binard
explained, “The supply of fresh produce may decrease as growers go out of business, or leave products
unharvested as they cannot store them. Production in glasshouses may be shortened to limit heating or
lighting. Furthermore, lack of proper temperature control puts plants at risk of going dormant, decreasing
harvest yields. All of this might impact a supply which is additionally increasingly impacted by climate
change”.
Freshfel Europe is calling regional, national and European decisions makers to consider all necessary actions
to assist the fresh produce sector to once again demonstrate its resilience and continue to provide to
European consumers quality, tasty, diversified, safe and affordable fresh fruit and vegetables. The energy
crunch provides an unprecedented opportunity to further position fresh produce as essential goods given
their unique health benefits and minimal environmental impact within the food chain. The following actions
have been identified by Freshfel Europe as key steps to be taken without further delay:
Consider in the CAP or other policies all necessary exceptional measures to minimize the
consequences of the energy crisis for the essential fresh produce sector.
Create a level playing field in the EU to avoid distortion of competition among operators. Setting
energy price caps on an EU level is desirable.
Secure exemption of fruit and vegetables from potential energy cuts to ensure freshness, quality and
safety of produce.
Move towards self-reliance in energy production and support innovative technologies in the sector
for energy efficiency.
Stimulate energy production in orchards, glasshouses and at other sector facilities for self-use and
reduce dependency, with the possibility to inject surplus back to the grid within a reinforced network
in rural areas.
