9.9.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 233/1

(1)

From 3 to 8 August 2017, some Member States and stakeholders informed the Commission on a severe market disturbance in the peaches and nectarines sector, due to a high level of production and stocks, especially in Greece, Spain and Italy. Stocks of peaches and nectarines in Spain amount to 87 000 tonnes, while 50 % of the peaches were still not harvested at the beginning of August. Stocks of peaches and nectarines in Italy amount to 130 000 tonnes, while 30 % of the products are still to be harvested.

(2)

Since the Russian ban on imports of fruits and vegetables from the Union in 2014, producers tried to find alternative export markets. However, exports to Belarus, which is currently the first export destination for peaches and nectarines during the harvesting period, decreased by 25 % since 2015. The export is even more impacted since 1 July 2017 following the introduction of sanitary and phytosanitary measures by countries that are members of the Eurasian Economic Union, in particular Belarus. Besides, export to third countries is difficult in general due to the perishable character of the produce.

(3)

The combination of those circumstances impacts the prices. According to the available data, the market situation and in particular the prices are very similar to those in 2014 when Russia introduced its embargo.

(4)

Spain and Italy confirmed that producer organisations already implemented the crisis prevention and management measures under their operational programmes and used the temporary exceptional support measures provided for in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1165 (2). Therefore, there is no more margin of manoeuvre to withdraw further quantities from the market under the current schemes.

(5)

The current circumstances are significantly disturbing the market in the peaches and nectarines sector and that situation, or its effects on the market, is likely to continue or deteriorate, while the normal crisis prevention and management measures available under Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 appear to be insufficient.

(6)

Although this market disturbance is only indirectly linked to the Russian embargo, it is appropriate, for practical reasons and in the interest of simplification, to use the existing system laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1165.

(7)

In order to have a sufficient impact to stabilise the market, the quantities provided for in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1165 for peaches and nectarines should be tripled for producers in Greece, Spain and Italy.

(8)

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1165 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(9)

In order to have an immediate impact on the market and to help stabilise prices during the main harvesting season, this Regulation should apply retroactively as of the date when the situation was formally and factually communicated to the Commission, namely on 3 August 2017,