The EU food and drink sector – Europe’s largest manufacturing industry – is at a pivotal moment. As businesses invest in sustainable practices and innovation, they are also navigating growing regulatory complexity, rising costs, and geopolitical uncertainty that threaten long-term competitiveness. But while the EU has adopted sector-specific plans for chemicals, steel, and automotives, food and drink manufacturers are still waiting. That’s why Fo...

The EU food and drink industry stands at a competitiveness crossroads. A new report from Wageningen University & Research shows food and drink production as the driving force behind the agri-food chain but highlights major challenges threatening its long-term competitiveness. The EU food and drink industry calls on the European Commission to develop a dedicated sector plan. The EU food and drink industry employs 4.7 million people and buys some 70% of al...

The EU’s Single Market Strategy published todayat May 2025, offers a promising opportunity to reinvigorate Europe’s Single Market, break down barriers to trade, simplify the rulebook, and support businesses in the food and drink sector – but we would like to inject some urgency into the plans. As Europe’s largest manufacturing industry, the EU food and drink industry benefits greatly from trade across the Single Market. In fact, over 65% of all food...

The European Competitiveness Compass is a positive step forward, but success will depend on taking action. The EU food and drink industry – Europe’s largest manufacturing sector – supports the goals of the Compass to simplify regulation and better align EU and national policies. Competitiveness is critical for Europe’s food and drink makers, who face rising costs, a fragmented Single Market, labour shortages, and supply chain disruptions. As a strat...

Ahead of the forthcoming publication of the EU’s Vision for Agriculture & Food, FoodDrinkEurope has set out the expectations of the food and drink industry – Europe’s largest manufacturing industry – for a competitive, resilient, and sustainable food chain. First and foremost, we’re looking for a Vision that is focused on making a real impact for Europe’s food and drink makers. A Vision that proposes actions to help, not hinder. A Vi...