ICOP 2025 debates the future CAP policy

In keeping with tradition, the ICOP Congress was held as a three-day event from 19 to 21 November 2025 near the Hungarian capital Budapest. The conference was once again organized by the Austrian consulting company GFA Consulting gmbh in cooperation with its local Hungarian partner, FruitVeB. About 170 representatives from 15 European nations took part. As usual, the first day of the conference focused on International trends and developments in the market. Speakers Cindy van Rijswick (Rabobank), Luc Vanoirbeek (Copa Cogeca), Ferenc Apáti (FruitVeB), Gergely Kóra from Spar Hungary and Nikki Hulzebos from the Dutch Fresh Produce Centre outlined various relevant market developments from different perspectives. The expert portfolio included International food and sustainability experts, political stakeholders, retailers and producers.

The industry paradox in debate

European Commission spokeswoman Kristine Bori announced during her presentation the major changes to the subsidy regime for fruit and vegetables from 2028. They are set to completely overhaul the existing system for producer organizations and, from the industry's point of view, pose a threat to the fruit and vegetable sector.

According to the European Commission's plan, the funding provided by the Operational Program, which is the most important support instrument for fruit and vegetables, will be structured and calculated in a completely different way. The first and second pillars of the support regime are to be merged into a single fund in future. Co-financing by the Member State is being considered. Transition periods, which are otherwise always possible between CAP periods, will be completely eliminated.

Uncertainty regarding ongoing programs

From 2028 onwards, everything will be handled according to the new rules. This poses considerable difficulties for many in the industry in terms of meeting defined minimum requirements for ongoing funding programs and financing multi-year projects, many of which extend well beyond 2027. The result is massive legal and economic uncertainty regarding ongoing programs and the new CAP period. At the ICOP itself, the stakeholders present therefore got together and defined their concerns and demands, which they will take to their national governments. The aim is to maintain the system of sectoral interventions and protect producer organizations in the agricultural sector. The principle of co-financing (50:50) is to be defended and public support firmly linked to the value of marketed production.

Innovation solutions presented on day 2

The other speakers in the first thematic block on the second day were Márton Bittsánsky (Hungarian Ministry), Lisa Martini (AREFLH), Péter Kelemen (Medifruct) and Philippe Appeltans (BelOrta), as well as Sándor Nagypéter from Hungary's largest producer organization, Délalföldi Kertészek Szövetkezete. This gave a voice to (merged) producer organisations, ministries and interest groups.

Wolfgang Harreither from this year's main sponsor Valibiotics and Siegfried Rappel (EOS), Matthias Nachtmann (Friends of Digital Farming), Benedikt Pircher (Metos), Ton van Dalen (Oxin Growers) and Gregor Witzmann (Farm-ING) then offered insights into smart solutions for future-oriented, economically and ecologically sound agriculture.

For more information about the future CAP for fruit and vegetables, you can write here.