The European Commission will allocate €185.9 million in 2023 to fund promotion activities for sustainable and high-quality EU agri-food products in the EU and worldwide. The 2023 promotion policy work program adopted today by the Commission contributes to the realization of the political priorities of the European Commission for 2019-2024, in particular the Farm to Fork strategy.
The promotion projects selected in 2023 are expected to highlight and favor products complying with objectives such as sustainability of EU agriculture, advancing animal welfare, promoting the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, and healthy as well as sustainable diets.
The amounts available for campaigns selected in 2023 are almost equally split between promotion in the EU internal market and in third countries, with €83.3 million and €83.1 million, respectively.
Outside the EU, countries, and regions with high growth potential are identified as main promotion targets. This includes China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and North America. New Zealand and Australia may also represent new market opportunities for European exporters. Last but not least, the United Kingdom remains one of the main export markets for EU agri-food products, absorbing 25% of EU27 exports.
Selected campaigns will inform EU and global consumers of the various EU quality schemes and labels, such as geographical indications or organic products. The latter category will benefit from allocated funding of up to €28 million to stimulate demand for organic products, in line with the action plan for organic production. An additional €36 million will support the promotion of sustainable agriculture practices beneficial for the climate, the environment, and animal welfare by European consumers and the consumption of sustainably produced agri-food products.
To encourage healthier and balanced diets, more than €19 million will be specifically earmarked for the promotion of fresh fruit and vegetables to help the sector face persisting challenges such as declining consumption and exports and a weak bargaining position vis-à-vis large-scale retail and processors. In general, promotion activities aimed at consumers on the internal market should refer to and be in line with the dietary guidelines of the targeted Member State(s).
Promotion campaigns about EU farm products are designed to open up new market opportunities for EU farmers and the wider food industry, as well as help them build their existing businesses. In addition to increasing sustainable production and consumption of agricultural products, the promotion policy also supports the sustainable recovery of the EU agri-food sector in a challenging economic context.
For more information:
Miriam Garcia Ferrer
Tel.: +32 2 299 90 75
[email protected]
Thérèse Lerebours
Tel.: +32 2 296 33 03
[email protected]