EU extends aid to apple and veggie growers

Authorities have given the go-ahead for Belgian apple and vegetable growers to leave their crops unharvested, following the example of pear growers. The growers will also receive compensation for crops taken off the market. The details of the plan, including timing, are due to be passed on to growers today.

The farmers are facing the loss of the important Russian export market, under a boycott introduced by the Russian government last month in retaliation for EU sanctions. The pear harvest comes earlier than the apple harvest, and pear growers were awarded compensation of €6,400 per hectare of fruit withdrawn from sale, or roughly 16 cents a kilo. In the end, about one-tenth of the harvest was destroyed.

The deal is now being offered to growers of apples, plums, grapes and red fruit, as well as the vegetable sector, including growers of carrots, cabbage, peppers, broccoli, cucumbers and mushrooms. The EU’s share in the compensation has been increased from 50% to 75%.

Tomatoes (pictured) are the largest of the Belgian crops concerned in this round, worth €19.5 million in total in 2013, with Russia accounting for 21,000 tonnes, or 79% of all exports. Apples were worth €15.8 million, with 84% of exports going to Russia. The carrot crop was worth €5.2 million, with Russia taking 15,000 tonnes, and peppers €4.1 million, with Russia buying 2,000 tonnes.

“The extra support is absolutely necessary to get a handle on this unprecedented crisis now that growers are unable to dispose of their produce at normal market prices,” said Flanders’ agriculture minister Joke Schauvliege.

EU agriculture ministers meet on Friday, where they will discuss support for pig and dairy farmers, also affected by the Russian boycott.

Photo courtesy Vilt