Looking Toward the Future of EU Agriculture: Sustainability, Resilience, and Competitiveness Depend on Collaboration Across the Food Value Chain

As we look to the future of EU agriculture, achieving sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness depends on collaboration throughout the entire agri-food value chain, according to a statement by European retailers who are members of Eurocommerce.

Retailers and wholesalers play a crucial role in this process. They provide businesses in the EU and millions of consumers with safe, nutritious, and affordable products. They are in a unique position to offer information that helps consumers make healthier and more sustainable choices.

Achieving a sustainable agri-food system requires the active involvement of all stakeholders – farmers, retailers, wholesalers, decision-makers, and consumers – working together for a shared vision for EU agriculture and food.

A Unified Approach to Sustainability

Through our participation in the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, we have contributed to the formation of guiding principles and recommendations for a competitive, resilient, and sustainable agriculture and food value chain.

These recommendations form a package. Retailers and wholesalers support these recommendations when taken together.

We look forward to continuing to contribute to the future vision of agriculture and food as a member of the European Council for Agriculture and Food. A unified strategy that brings all stakeholders together toward common goals will help depolarize positions.

Diversity Requires Tailored Solutions

European agriculture and the different sectors that form the value chain are diverse, with varying sizes, sectors, and geographical areas. A one-size-fits-all approach will not meet the different needs.

Agriculture and the food value chain are interconnected with health, the environment, climate, and trade. To ensure food safety, security, sustainability, and competitiveness, all players must participate consistently in the actions to be taken.

The Role of Retail and Wholesale in the Food Chain

Retailers have direct relationships with farmers for only 5% of what they sell. These relationships are usually very local and small-scale. Retailers primarily deal with large multinational suppliers, processed product suppliers, wholesalers, cooperatives, and purchasing organizations.

These downstream organizations play a useful role in aggregating the volumes that retailers and wholesalers need to provide customers with safe, competitive, and affordable food.

This means there are interdependencies between all actors, with consumer trends shaping the entire agri-food system.

The position of retail and wholesale in the value chain stimulates jobs, fosters innovation, and promotes competitiveness, from local suppliers to international businesses. It also supports local communities and rural areas by providing jobs and contributing to trade.

Retailers and wholesalers also play an essential role in facilitating trade between third countries and the EU.

Key Priorities for the Future Vision of EU Agriculture and Food

We urge decision-makers to focus on improving the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the agri-food system.

In this regard, it is essential to prioritize the single market, attract investment, eliminate regulatory barriers, and address territorial supply constraints, which continue to hinder food accessibility.

A more streamlined and harmonized regulatory framework is essential to reduce costs and improve market efficiency.

Sustainability must be addressed holistically, across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Since everyone is interdependent, this requires increased collaboration along the supply chain.

Supporting innovation, reducing food waste, and harmonizing sustainability methodologies will be critical in driving long-term progress. Without stronger internal demand, Europe’s competitiveness will continue to decline.

Retailers and wholesalers are uniquely positioned to help consumers make informed choices and increase demand for healthier and more sustainable products.

We also encourage better-targeted support for farmers, especially those who need it the most. However, agriculture and the food value chain must remain market-oriented.

The evaluation of the Directive on unfair trading practices is ongoing, and we need an evidence-based discussion before making regulatory changes. Only 13% of agricultural products are grown for human food consumption.

This means that measures that go beyond contractual relationships in the food supply chain are of critical importance if we truly want to improve the situation for farmers, the food chain, and consumers.

Achieving the future vision for agriculture and food in Europe will require collective action. Retailers and wholesalers are committed to supporting this transition, driving innovation, and providing consumers with affordable, healthy, and sustainable choices.