Agri Food Industrial Ecosystem ET0924198ENN

AGRI-FOOD
INDUSTRIAL
ECOSYSTEM
The agri-food ecosystem is responsible for the diversity of foods and drinks we consume every
day. It comprises of different actors in the food supply chain – from farmers and fishers and its
cooperatives, the food and drink industry, food retail and wholesale, food service and suppliers
of seeds, fertilisers, machinery as well as those involved in packaging, logistics, research and
public authorities. All of these contribute to the manufacturing of food and beverage, as well as
crop and animal production, hunting and related services. Besides its economic importance, the
ecosystem also has important social and cultural implications.
KEY FACTS AND FIGURES
Brings €602.9 billion or 4.9% in Consists 291 000 food and drink
gross added value to EU economy enterprises, of which 99% SMEs
SMEs are responsible for almost half of

Creates 16 million jobs in EU
the sector’s turnover and employment
KEY CHALLENGES
Adapting and mitigating climate change impacts: Climate change has a big impact on
the environment and changing crop yields and sea outputs. This affects farmers’ and fishers’
incomes, impacts the viability of rural areas and influences sustainable and healthy diets.
Changing societies: The agri-food ecosystem is market by low generational renewal, with
less young people attracted by the food sector. Finding a skilled workforce is increasingly
challenging even for large food companies.
Rising costs: The agri-food ecosystem has been affected by large increases in input costs,
especially energy and volatility of raw material prices. Rising costs also increase the risks for
global food security, while in EU, food affordability is an issue for low-income groups.
MAKING THE AGRI-FOOD SYSTEM GREENER,
MORE DIGITAL AND MORE RESILIENT
The European Commission, together with agri-food stakeholders, has published a Transition Pathway
for the agri-food industrial ecosystem in March 2024. This document has a set of actions to support the
green and digital transition of the agri-food ecosystem, while improving its resilience. The plan addresses
issues like sustainable competitiveness, investments and funds, needed research and innovation,
adequate skills, required infrastructure, public governance and international trade and cooperation. To
make the transition pathway a reality, a Transition Pathway Stakeholder Support Platform will be set up to
help stakeholders use and exchange information.
SUPPORTING THE TRANSITION
SECURING RELEVANT SKILLS CREATING AN ENABLING REGULATORY

To address the gap in skills in the agri-food FRAMEWORK
sector, the Commission and sectorial associations The EU’s Common Agricultural and Common
led by Copa-Cogeca and FoodDrinkEurope Fisheries Policies provides a key framework for
created a large-scale skills partnership in the agri-food sector. In addition, the Farm to Fork
February 2022. Part of the EU Pact for Skills and the Biodiversity Strategies from 2020 are
initiative, the partnership brings together the two central elements for the transformation
companies, national federations, universities, of the EU agri-food system. . The agri-food
trainings centres and others to deepen research sector also benefits from sectorial strategies
into the skills gap, create training programmes such as bioeconomy strategy, the sustainable
and other activities to promote careers in the blue economy, the SME strategy, or the Circular
agri-food sector. Economy Action Plan.
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS SUPPORTING SMALL AGRI-FOOD

PRACTICES BUSINESSES
To promote sustainable food production and The European Cluster Collaboration Platform is
distribution, the agri-food industry, supported an important initiative to support businesses,
by the Commission launched the EU Code of helping them to cooperate with other local
Conduct on Responsible Food Business and businesses to improve productivity, innovation,
Marketing Practices. The initiative brings together internationalisation and efficient use of
more than 140 partners representing food and resources. Similarly, the European Enterprise
drink companies and retailers, as well as SMEs Network provides support for SMEs, including
from the sector, to jointly work on improving advice by dedicated Sustainability Advisors which
healthy and sustainable diets, supporting a can help SMEs identify best ways to benefit from
climate neutral food chain, reducing food loss sustainable business models.
and making food sourcing more circular and
sustainable.
© European Union, 2024

Reuse of this document is allowed, provided appropriate credit is given and any changes are indicated (Creative Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2024
Commons Attribution 4.0 International license). For any use or reproduction of elements that are not owned by the EU, PDF ISBN 978-92-68-14345-2 doi: 10.2873/427449 ET-09-24-198-EN-N
permission may need to be sought directly from the respective right holders. All images and icons © AdobeStock

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AGRI-FOOD

KEY FACTS AND FIGURES

SMEs are responsible for almost half of

SUPPORTING THE TRANSITION

SECURING RELEVANT SKILLS CREATING AN ENABLING REGULATORY

PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS SUPPORTING SMALL AGRI-FOOD

© European Union, 2024

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