Consignments of fresh fruit and vegetables imported from third countries must comply with marketing standards or with other standards at least equivalent to them.

The Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2429 lays down rules on marketing standards for fruit, vegetables, processed fruit products and bananas. The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2430 lays down the rules for verifying the conformity of consignments.

In accordance with the new rules, consignments are checked against specific marketing standards for the following products: apples, citrus fruit, kiwifruit, peaches, nectarines, pears, strawberries, sweet peppers, table grapes, tomatoes, lettuces, curled-leaved and broad-leaved endives, and bananas (except bananas intended for processing). For all other types of fruit and vegetables, the general marketing standard applies.

Marketing standards do not apply to fruit and vegetables intended for industrial processing, animal feed or other non-food uses, but such consignments must be clearly labelled, for example “intended for processing” or “for animal feed”. Standards also do not apply to certain specific products, such as cultivated mushrooms, capers, bitter almonds, nuts, dried citrus fruit, dried figs, nut mixtures and saffron.

The competent authority in this area is the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection (UVHVVR).

Fresh fruit and vegetables subject to quality checks under specific marketing standards must be inspected by a UVHVVR inspector before release for free circulation or upon export. Inspections are carried out at EU border entry points (e.g. the Port of Koper, Jože Pučnik Airport) or at other officially designated control points in Slovenia. Customs authorities release consignments into free circulation based on the Certificate of Conformity with EU Marketing Standards. If customs authorities detect non-compliance during the check, they inform the competent regional office of UVHVVR.