Who Reaps the Fruit? Critical Issues in the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Chain

Abstract

This SOMO report critically analyses the influence of trade and distribution on production and production conditions in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable (FFV) sector. The report identifies the key challenges and opportunities of the sector from the perspective of poverty eradication and sustainable development.

The report provides an overview of the key production, trade and consumption characteristics and trends in the FFV sector. It outlines the main market structures and corporate entities in the FFV chain, lists the most relevant initiatives for corporate social responsibility in the sector and covers the most important international and EU legislation and regulation relevant for the sector.

More specifically, the report provides insights into the market structures and trade channels on the world FFV market. The FFV chain is increasingly dominated and controlled, from production to distribution, by a few large multinational corporations. Such market structures influence the prices producers receive and the conditions under which they can produce. The study aims to provide arguments for civil society organisations to feed the debate on trade & investment, corporate accountability and globalisation. The final chapter provides a comprehensive framework of recommendations that tackle different bottlenecks in the FFV chain through a range of diversified instruments.

Keywords: fruit, vegetable, trade, consumption, market structures, legislation, regulation, globalisation, corporate accountability