Rising fruit prices, attributed to poor harvests and increased consumer costs, have led to a decline in the purchase of premium varieties like blueberries, prompting shoppers to choose cheaper options. Overall, fruit prices rose by 3.8%, while vegetables became 1.5% cheaper. The industry faces challenges, including high production costs and upcoming EU plastic packaging bans. Germany’s reliance on imports for a significant portion of its fruits and vegetables adds to the complexities within the market.
Rising Costs Impact Fruit Consumption
Last year, consumers found themselves spending more for their favorite fruits, leading to a noticeable shift in purchasing habits. The escalating prices of premium fruit varieties, such as berries, caused many shoppers to opt for more affordable options.
Blueberries, often hailed for their health benefits—rich in fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamins, antioxidants, and secondary plant compounds—saw a decline in sales. According to Andreas Brügger, managing director of the German Fruit Trade Association, “For high-quality tomatoes or berries priced at ten euros per kilo, many no longer participate.” This marks a significant change as consumers shift back to basic fruit selections, steering clear of crowded supermarkets and reducing carbon footprints by opting for homegrown produce.
Fruit Prices Surge Due to Poor Harvests
Overall, fruit prices rose by an average of five percent last year, while vegetable prices saw a slight decline. Data from the Agricultural Market Information Company (AMI) indicates that while fruit prices increased, vegetables became approximately three percent cheaper in comparison to the previous year.
The spike in fruit prices can be attributed to a limited supply, as noted by AMI expert Michael Koch. The apple harvest was notably smaller than in previous years, and the supply of imported blueberries only stabilized in the latter half of the year. As a result, the purchasing volume for fruits saw only a marginal increase of about one percent, with some German apple farmers bracing for potential crop failures this year.
Conversely, vegetable prices have begun to stabilize. Following a surge in prices for sought-after varieties like onions and carrots in 2023, a normalizing trend emerged in 2024, leading to a two percent increase in purchasing volume.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, fruit prices experienced a rise of 3.8 percent last year, while vegetables became 1.5 percent cheaper. Interestingly, Germany’s inflation rate saw an unexpected dip in January.
Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry
This week, the fruit and vegetable industry convenes at the Fruit Logistica trade fair in Berlin, where up to 80,000 professionals from over 140 countries are expected to attend. However, the industry faces numerous challenges, including soaring costs for labor, energy, plant protection products, and fuel, which are significantly straining producers.
The association has also voiced concerns regarding the EU’s impending ban on plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables, set to take effect in 2030. Brügger criticized the lack of foresight, stating, “The Commission has not noticed that this is nonsense,” noting that individual countries might grant exceptions that could undermine the internal market.
Germany, as a major importer of fruits and vegetables, relies heavily on foreign sources, with approximately 80 percent of its fruit and 60 percent of its vegetables coming from abroad. While changes in U.S. government and associated tariffs do not directly impact Germany’s trade, the U.S. remains a significant player in the global market. Brügger remarked that the U.S. deals have an air of coercion that could set international trade relations back decades.
This information was originally reported by tagesschau24 on February 4, 2025, at 11:00 AM.