The Netherlands again played a leading role in the trade of fresh fruit and vegetables in 2021 despite high transport costs, a shortage of sea containers, Brexit challenges and many other challenges related to the pandemic.
According to industry organisation FreshProduce Centre, sales abroad increased to €13.1bn (+1 per cent) compared to 2020.
However, exports of fresh fruit and vegetables to the UK fell by 12 per cent on 2020. Sales of fresh produce to Belgium increased by 7 per cent compared to 2020.
The export value of fresh fruit was the same as in 2020, while that of fresh vegetables increased by 2 per cent. The total volume of produce sold in foreign markets decreased slightly (-1 per cent).
Around 95 per cent of the fruit and vegetables traded are delivered to neighbouring European countries, with Germany still the most important market at €4.9bn, followed by Belgium (€1.2bn) and the UK (€1.1bn).
