Brussels: The EU harvested 62.2 million tons of fresh vegetables, marking a 6% increase year-on-year in 2024, Eurostat data showed on Monday. Spain emerged as the leading producer with 14.8 million tons, followed by Italy with 13.9 million tons and France with 5.8 million tons.

According to Anadolu Agency, the EU saw an increase in the harvested production of key vegetables in 2024 compared to the previous year, with tomato production rising by 5%, carrot production by 6%, and onion production by 11%. In contrast, the production of fruits, berries, and nuts (excluding citrus fruits, grapes, and strawberries) was 24.3 million tons, reflecting a 2% decline from the previous year.

The leading producers of fruits, berries, and nuts in the EU were Italy, Spain, and Poland, contributing a combined 57% of the EU's production with figures of 5.4 million tons, 4.3 million tons, and 4.1 million tons respectively. The EU's apple production in 2024 reached 11.6 million tons, with Poland, Italy, and France accounting for 29%, 21%, and 17% respectively. Overall, EU apple production in 2024 was 4% lower than in 2023.