Fruit and vegetable production in the new millennium Will Mediterranean production satisfy increasing European demand?

The Barcelona Agreement, which aims to establish a free trade zone between most Mediterranean countries and the EU, was seen as an opportunity for the former to gain easier access to and increase their share of the European fruit and vegetable market. Mediterranean countries are traditional growers of fruit and vegetables, but are struggling to remain competitive in the global market. This paper reports on the current situation and on future prospects for production and trade in fruit and vegetables in the Mediterranean, emphasizing the challenges these countries need to tackle to increase their competitiveness.