The Joint Committee on Fruit and Vegetables of Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal met in Madrid for a crucial plenary session that discussed the current status of the subsectors and the proposals for the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the period 2028-2034.
![[Img # 64824]](https://empresaexterior.com/upload/images/10_2025/9258_en-ifema-en-el-marco-de-fruit-attraction.jpg)
The annual meeting, framed within the fair Fruit Attraction at IFEMA, brought together representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture of the four countries, along with professionals from the main fruit and vegetable subsectors.
Analysis of Common Challenges and Concerns
The day began with a review of the work of the product-specific contact groups (tomato, strawberry, garlic, peach and nectarine, apple and pear, citrus, table grapes, fresh-cut produce, and plant protection products), which were launched in the first half of 2025. These forums have served to exchange information and share common concerns in the search for solutions.
Among the key topics of discussion were phytosanitary issues, which have already generated a letter and a joint declaration to the European Commission. Other key challenges addressed included:
The difficulties arising from climate change and its impact on production and quality.
The lack of qualified labor.
Political instability due to international conflicts.
The growing competition in the international market.
Professionals from the four countries are working to find shared solutions to these challenges.
Representatives of the ministries responsible for agriculture from the four countries and professionals from the main fruit and vegetable subsectors participated in the annual meeting, held within the framework of Fruit Attraction at IFEMA.
The CAP 2028-2034, the Focus of the Debate
One of the most relevant points was the analysis of the CAP reform proposal presented by the European Commission on July 17. The proposed Multiannual Financial Framework was examined, which includes a new single fund, new national and regional partnership plans, and the return of the Intervention. Fruit and Vegetable Sector to the Common Organization of Agricultural Markets (OCMA).
Although the sector will maintain its specific sectoral intervention, targeting producer organizations and its operational programs, the proposal brings significant new features: its inclusion in the minimum allocation to the CAP through the single fund and the obligation for Member States to co-finance at least 30%.
The ministerial representatives encouraged professionals to maintain active collaboration in the contact groups throughout 2026 to continue sharing needs and, if necessary, articulate common positions with the European Union. The next plenary session of the Joint Committee will be held in Portugal next year.
Context of the Joint Committee
The Joint Committee on Fruit and Vegetables was established in 1997, initially by France and Spain, to strengthen their professional relations. It was later expanded to Italy in 2010 and Portugal in 2019, establishing itself as an essential forum for analyzing market issues and shared interests.
