European market potential for select African fruit and vegetable commodities

After a brief description of the restrictions imposed under the European Economic Community"s Common Agricultural Policy, the commodity potential for select fruits (avocados, mangoes, and pineapples) and vegetables (asparagus, eggplant and zucchini, sweet peppers, and green beans) and for sweet melons - for all of which the southeran hemisphere might have a comparative advantage - is considered. An examination of the potential effects of Common Market expansion from 9 to 12 countries shows that fruit and vegetable products from new members will displace exports from third countries, accompanied by further downward pressure on already falling real prices on international markets. Investments by the World Bank in fruit and vegetable projects in Mediterranean-rim countries will further limit the opportunity for Sub-Saharan exports. A summary of African fruits and vegetables reaching the European market concludes the paper.