Consideration of citrus fruits as ‘highly sensitive products’ in negotiations with third countries

Subject: Consideration of citrus fruits as ‘highly sensitive products’ in negotiations with third countries

The citrus fruit sector in Spain makes an average of EUR 2 500 million each year, and accounts for 4.9% of Spain’s agricultural production and 32.5% of its fruit production. Spanish citrus farmers account for 60% of the total EU production, farmed in line with the EU’s stringent production model.

Nevertheless, the absence of any reciprocity in the EU’s trade agreements, in terms of both production methods and the plant health conditions for citrus fruits entering the EU, pose a serious threat to the viability of citrus farming in Spain. Moreover, as with South African imports, there are additional difficulties such as the ever increasing import periods, which mean that these products, rather than complementing EU production, represent unfair competition and a plant health risk for European citrus farming.

Before the next review of the Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Southern African Development Community, and in light of the absence of reciprocity, the plant health risks that have been denounced by the sector for years and the Farm to Fork Strategy:

Does the Commission intend to include consideration of citrus fruits as ‘highly sensitive products’ in the negotiations?

Joint answer given by Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission (9 February 2022)

Citrus fruits, namely sweet oranges, small citrus and lemons, have been treated as sensitive in trade agreements with citrus producing countries, i.e. imports from these countries have been usually liberalised only partially.

The situation on the EU citrus market, including imports, is closely monitored by the Commission and data is publicly available on the Europa website (1). The Commission also remains in contact with the sector’s representatives with a view to better understand the issues relating to citrus imports to the EU.

Regarding the review of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the precise scope is currently under discussion and has to be agreed between the EU and SADC partners. The EU’s aim is not to reopen the EPA but rather reflect on how to make it function better.

⋅1∙ https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/farming/facts-and-figures/markets/overviews/market-observatories/fruit-and-vegetables/citrus-fruit-statistics_en | | ( | | )As regards sanitary and phytosanitary issues, the Commission, in consultation with the Member States, is closely following up all plant health risks linked to the citrus imports from South Africa.

Based on the latest technical and scientific information, the citrus trade is annually evaluated and the import requirements are reviewed and updated whenever needed. As such, the existing import requirements related to citrus black spot and false coddling moth are currently under review in advance of the 2022 trade season.