The Special Adviser of the Association of Greek exporting companies and Handlers of Fruit, Vegetable and Juice, INCOFRUIT-HELLAS, George Polichronakis, issued a statement arguing that the delay in the publication of the new EU regulation for the aid package to producers affected by the Russian embargo has resulted in significant vegetable price drops.
"This week, the European Commission announced that it would implement the new regulation for the granting of aid to producers affected by the Russian embargo. Aid was suspended until it was possible to determine the accuracy of the data reported by some countries, mainly Poland. This delay, however, is seriously affecting fruit and vegetable market prices," says the statement.
Due to the lack of the new regulation, producers are selling their products without a clear reference price. "We therefore urge the EU to speed up the publication of this regulation in order to help stabilise the market. It is a matter that has implications for producers, who must decide whether to start marketing their products or not."
If it is assumed that once the new regulation comes into force, it will apply retroactively for the period in which they were suspended, although this will obviously not have any impact on the quantities sold during this period.
"Prices have fallen by up to 35% compared to those registered when the announcement was first made, and the constant changes taking place within the EU do not encourage producers to wait and now prefer to sell at low prices," concludes the statement.