ISHS Acta Horticulturae 347: II International Symposium on Integrated Fruit Production
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS OF INTEGRATED FRUIT IN NORTH WESTERN EUROPE |
| Author: | M.A. Heijbroek |
| Abstract:
Fruit production in Europe is very competitive. The producers in NW Europe grow new cultivars which have to compete against the suppliers of old cultivars such as, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith. There is growing competition in the domestic market with other fruit, e.g. citrus and bananas. The increasing market share held by the big supermarket chains and their concentration of buying power has weakened the position of the producers. The timing for the introduction of Integrated Fruit Production seems unfavourable. High pressure on prices is caused by strong competition from exotic and Southern hemisphere fruit production, over production of apples and the power of the retailers. The production of apples in NW Europe will increase further, yet the costs and risk of Integrated Fruit Production are expected to be higher. It is vital that fruit growers and their organisations remain competitive, and have a strategy to improve the price margins of production and retailing. More market orientated thinking and cooperation on a national and international basis are possible. | |
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