EU lanes save €4 billion worth of Italian fruit and vegetables

“The opening of green lane crossings at EU borders will save €4 billion worth of highly perishable fresh fruit and vegetables for consumption in the European Union countries.

” Coldiretti welcomed the EU Commission’s proposal of creating green lane border crossings to ensure that freight is able to cross EU borders in no more than 15 minutes.

“This was a much awaited proposal following the impact of unilateral decisions made by many Member States on international freight transport, including particularly severe damage to perishable food products,” said Coldiretti chairman Ettore Prandini in reference to the difficulties encountered at many borders, including Austria’s Brenner Pass and the Italian border with Slovenia.

The free movement of freight is important for the Italian agri-food industry, which in 2019 exported a total of €44.6 billion worth of products (+3.1% compared to the previous year). Almost two thirds (63%) of Italian agri-food exports were sold in EU countries, where the growth in value was 3.6% in 2019. Italy’s main trading partner is Germany with sales of €7.2 billion in 2019 (+2.9%).