Written question – European vegetable production in decline – E-002324/2025

Question for written answer  E-002324/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR)

On 2 June, the banner headline on the Foodlog news platform was: ‘European vegetable production is collapsing’ (‘Europese groenteproductie zakt weg’)[1]. Reference was made to figures from the European Statistics Handbook[2]. Over four years, EU vegetable production has fallen by 7%. The article states that there is an undeniable structural decline in production.

According to insiders, the decline stems from a combination of factors, including extreme weather events, an increase in red tape, rising labour costs, labour shortages and restrictions on the use of plant protection products.

• 1.How does the Commission account for the decline in EU vegetable production and what, in its view, are the key causes?
• 2.What is the Commission doing to gain an insight into European vegetable production and into the precise combination of factors responsible for the decline in production?
• 3.What specific actions is the Commission considering in order at least to maintain European vegetable production and, if possible, to boost it?

Submitted: 10.6.2025

• [1] https://www.foodlog.nl/artikel/europese-groenteproductie-zakt-weg
• [2] European Statistics Handbook, Fruit Logistica 2025, https://www.fruitlogistica.com/fruit-logistica/downloads-alle-sprachen/european_statistics_handbook_2025.pdf