I am pleased to present this third edition of Key figures on the European food chain. The publication responds to interest in the European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy, which is an integral part of the European Green Deal that sets out to make Europe the first climate‑neutral continent by 2050. The Farm to Fork Strategy aims to establish a sustainable food system in the European Union (EU) that is fair, healthy and environmentally‑friendly.
The common agricultural policy (CAP) plays a pivotal role in the EU’s agricultural sector. It sets both economic and social goals, while incorporating sustainability and environmental concerns into its framework. Indeed, recent reforms to the CAP have encouraged farmers to adopt greener practices by allocating more funds to conservation and biodiversity. By doing so, the CAP aims to revitalise rural areas, diversify economic activity and improve local infrastructure. It also supports farmers’ livelihoods, while ensuring food supply and security through support measures that stabilise agricultural markets. Finally, the CAP contributes to EU trade negotiations by setting the terms that help maintain quality and safety standards for agricultural imports and exports. Likewise, the common fisheries policy (CFP) aims to contribute to a healthier marine environment, to maintain profitability in the sector, to support the revitalisation of coastal communities and improve their economic prospects with more innovation and technology.
Key figures on the European food chain presents data in an intuitive and innovative way, supported by concise text. It starts with an overview of agriculture and fisheries: while some products are sold raw (for example milk, fruit and vegetables) or processed (such as wine and olive oil) directly from farms, most pass along a much more complex food chain; the EU also imports a range of goods. This journey is reflected in the different sections of the publication that cover processing, distribution, and the consumption of food and beverages. The final chapter concerns environmental issues in the various stages of the food chain, including the generation of food waste.
Most datasets included within Key figures on the European food chain are presented until 2021 or 2022. Some effects of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine may be reflected in the data for 2022. Ukraine and Russia have historically been important trading partners for various agricultural inputs or outputs (such as fertilisers,cereals, and animal or vegetable fats and oils).
