Answer given by Mr Hogan on behalf of the European Commission

31.7.2018

It is not in general possible to cover every product in studies based on general equilibrium modelling, due to the inherent limitations of the standard modelling tools, especially due to the available database. Fruit juice is treated as part of an aggregate in the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) database that includes a number of other products and therefore cannot be examined in isolation.

This does not mean that the situation with respect to specific products is not examined in detail by the Commission. This work is supported by inputs from Member States and stakeholders. When calibrating tariff offers the Commission takes into account the full range of available economic data related to a given product (consumption, production, trade flows, existing tariff levels), using where possible, Eurostat data. As regards citrus juices, the EU's production is insufficient to match existing demand, and consequently the EU is a large net importer of citrus juices, in particular of orange juice, with Brazil being, by far, the EU's largest supplier.