€200m pledged to promote EU agri-food in 2020

€200.9 million is being allocated by the European Commission in 2020 to fund promotion activities fo…

€200.9 million is being allocated by the European Commission in 2020 to fund promotion activities for EU agri-food products domestically and overseas.

In 2020, more than half of the budget (€118 million) will go towards campaigns pursuing markets outside the EU with high-growth potential – such as Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Mexico and the US.

Eligible sectors include dairy and cheese, table olives and olive oil and wines. The selected campaigns are expected to enhance the competitiveness and consumption of EU agri-food products, raise their profile and increase their market share in these targeted countries.

Campaigns will also inform EU and global consumers of the various EU quality schemes and labels such as geographical indications or organic products.

An additional focus of the campaigns will also be to highlight the high safety and quality standards, as well as the diversity and traditional aspects of EU agri-food products. Finally, within the EU, the focus will be on promoting healthy eating and increase, in the framework of balanced diets, the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The calls for proposals for the upcoming 2020 campaigns will be published in January 2020. A wide range of bodies, such as trade organisations, producer organisations and agri-food groups responsible for promotion activities are eligible to apply for funding and submit their proposals.

“Our promotion policy with an ever-increased budget supports EU producers in making their products known both in the EU and outside but also in facing market difficulties by raising more awareness on their produce,” said Agriculture and rural development Commissioner Phil Hogan.

“The trade agreements in place also create the conditions to increase their exports to high-growing markets. The recent conclusion of the EU-China bilateral agreement on geographical indications is yet another example of the Commission’s work to create opportunities for producers and high-quality EU products.”