Grüne Fee director: EU regulation will make it impossible to sell lettuce and long cucumbers without packaging
The executive director of fresh cucumber producer Grüne Fee says that after the EU regulation comes into force, many fruits and vegetables may disappear from store shelves because they spoil quickly without packaging. Long cucumbers without film last only 3-4 days, but packaged they keep up to three weeks.
According to an EU regulation banning the sale of certain vegetables and fruits in individual packaging, many products could vanish from store shelves, argues Kristo Eisenberg, executive director of Grüne Fee, a company specializing in fresh cucumbers.
Products spoil quickly without packaging
Eisenberg emphasizes that lettuce and greens cannot be sold without packaging. The same applies to long cucumbers. Each product reacts differently to touch, bacteria, and storage conditions. He explains that a cucumber is almost entirely water, and without film, moisture evaporates very quickly. As a result, a long cucumber can spoil in just 3-4 days, whereas when packaged and stored properly, it can last up to three weeks.
Problems in the supply chain
Eisenberg points out that problems arise in the supply chain and retail. “We harvest cucumbers in the morning and ship them the same afternoon or the next day, but they don't reach the store immediately. First, they go to a central warehouse, from where they are delivered to retail outlets within 24–48 hours,” he says. This means that by the time they arrive at the store, the cucumbers may already be spoiled.
Price increases and possible exemptions
According to Eisenberg, if the volume of spoiled produce increases by 30–50% in the future, it will lead to a significant price hike. He also believes that after the regulation takes effect, a large portion of fruits and vegetables may disappear from shelves.
The European Commission must clarify the requirements for pre-packaging of products no later than February 12, 2027. Previously, Dagni Repp, head of the packaging department at the Estonian Ministry of Climate, stated that from January 1, 2030, stores in Estonia and other EU countries will no longer be able to sell, for example, long cucumbers individually wrapped in film and peppers sold in packs of two.
Eisenberg hopes that long cucumbers will be included in the list of exemptions and can continue to be sold in packaging.
/nginx/o/2026/07/14/17783445t1ha67c.jpg)