Freshfel Europe

Freshfel Europe represents the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain, bringing together producers, traders, importers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers, logistics operators and service providers. The sector ensures the daily availability of perishable and nutritious products across the EU while operating under strict food safety and quality requirements.

Freshfel Europe, the European fresh produce association, supports the efforts to increase sustainable packaging solutions and the harmonisation the proposed regulation would bring to the packaging market in Europe.

Packaging is an essential element of the European fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain. The fresh produce sector uses packaging throughout the supply chain from production, wholesale, logistics, trade and at retail level to provide safe, high quality and fresh products to consumers.

Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling significantly affects the fruit and vegetable sector. The organic farming system faces many of the same challenges as conventional production such as labour shortages, rising costs, food waste, and market volatility. But the absence of food additives, post-harvest treatments, along with shorter shelf life, etc.

Freshfel Europe, the European Fresh Produce Association, welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for a ‘revision of Directive 2008/98/EC on waste – part on food waste reduction target’. This initiative under the Farm to Fork Strategy will further stimulate Europe’s food waste reduction efforts throughout the agri- food supply chain for a more sustainable food system in line with the European Green Deal’s…

Freshfel Europe welcomes the initiative of the Commission to regulate the substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims. Fresh fruit and vegetables play a fundamental role in a greener economy and Freshfel Europe supports tools that create trust with consumers in communicating these important assets.

Consumers are key to a successful and effective green transition. The fresh fruit and vegetable sector endeavours to supply consumers with safe, high quality and fresh products that also meet their environmental, social and sustainability product expectations. The fresh fruit and vegetable sector is fundamental for a greener European economy, whose impact filters to global markets.

Freshfel Europe, the European Fresh Produce Association, would like the welcome Commission’s proposal for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the exclusion under its scope of the fresh fruit and vegetables sector.

Freshfel Europe, the European fresh produce association representing the fresh fruits and vegetables supply chain from producers to traders, importers/exporters, wholesalers, retailers and associated logistics and service providers.

Freshfel Europe welcomes the opportunity to comment on the five options presented in the Inception Impact Assessment for a revision of EU marketing standards for agricultural products. In view of the current use and potential future use of marketing standards in the fresh produce sector, Freshfel Europe believes Option 3 “Revise the current marketing standards to modernise them (e.g.

Freshfel Europe is the European Fruit and Vegetable Association and represents the entire supply chain from production to trade to retail. Freshfel has compiled a comprehensive response of the sector on the roadmap for "CO2 Emissions for shipping - encouraging the use of low-carbon fuels, attached here. We remain available for further discussion.

Freshfel Europe welcomes the opportunity to give its perspective on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament aiming at strengthening the position of farmers in the food supply chain. The fresh fruit and vegetables sector is an essential sector, given both its health and environmental benefits.

Freshfel Europe considers that the fresh fruit and vegetables supply chain is functioning based on long-standing and collaborative commercial relationships. While some unfair trading practices may still occur, these appear limited in a sector characterized by mutual dependence and established trust.

Freshfel Europe, the European Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Association, would like the welcome the proposal adopted by the Commission for a new EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences, particularly in regards to the inclusion of environmental sustainability considerations and the need to keep safeguards to protect European production.