The European fruit and vegetable market is very competitive. Growers must meet several requirements to export to this market. These can be rules from the European Union or set by buyers. Private requirements are known as 'certifications'. Most certifications in Europe focus on social and environmental issues. Their primary goal is to safeguard European consumers. Some certifications cater to specific niche markets.
What are the mandatory requirements for fresh fruit and vegetables?
Mandatory requirements cover food safety and quality. These requirements change regularly. You can find a list of these requirements using My Trade Assistant on Access2Markets or ITC's Global Trade Helpdesk. For details about your product, enter the product name and the country you are exporting from.
The Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) enables developing countries to pay reduced or zero duties on their exports to the European Union (EU). The list of GSP beneficiary countries is divided into three categories. The first category is the Standard GSP, which is designated for low and lower-middle-income countries. The second category, known as GSP+, is a special incentive arrangement aimed at promoting sustainable development and good governance in these nations. The third category is the EBA (Everything But Arms) arrangement, which is specifically designed for the least developed countries (LDCs), providing them with preferential trade conditions.
Limited use of pesticides
The EU often updates the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for pesticides permitted in food products. You can find the list of approved pesticides on the Directorate General of Health and Food Safety website.
Remember to use only plant protection products (PPPs) that are permitted in your country. Using unauthorised products or PPPs intended for other crops may lead to rejection. You can find additional information on the PPPs permitted in your country on the Cabi BioProtection Portal.
MRLs are implemented via European Directives. This allows EU Member States to adopt tougher regulations than what European laws demand. Supermarkets in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Scandinavia are recognised for enforcing stricter MRLs. This also applies to exports to the United Kingdom.
If MRLs are exceeded, the first importer of the product may be held legally accountable. This is why more buyers request their suppliers to maintain records of the PPPs they use, as well as spraying records.
The Alert Cooperation Network (ACN) helps the regulatory agencies in EU countries to exchange information about products that have high levels of pesticides quickly. This allows for the quick removal of those products from the market. The ACN Annual Report 2023 highlights the importance of ensuring that food products meet maximum residue levels (MRLs). The information on official food controls below provides further information.
Avoiding contaminants
Foodstuffs can contain contaminants. Contaminants are substances that are not added to food on purpose. They can come from many sources, including farming methods, pollution of the environment, packaging, transportation and storage. Some contaminants also occur naturally in certain foodstuffs. This is the case with hydrocyanic acid in cassava roots, for instance. The EU refers to these contaminants as "inherent plant toxins".
Contaminants can also pose a risk to human health. The EU sets limits for contaminants in foodstuffs, as it does for MRLs. The most common contaminants in food are chemicals. These include heavy metals from pesticides (e.g. lead and cadmium), perchlorate and nitrates, which are often found in spinach, lettuce and arugula.
The rules for processed fruit and vegetables (such as dried fruit and juices) may differ. As the regulation is also regularly updated, you must keep yourself up to date. New insights into or threats to food safety and contaminants can always lead to adjustments in the regulations.
Source: Government of the Netherlands