November 22, 2019

EU allocates US$222.4 million to promote its agri-food industry in 2020

The fund will assist the sector in benefitting from an expanding global agri-food market, increase awareness on quality European Union (EU) schemes such as organic produce, and aid producers during challenging market periods.
 

Out of the full €220.9 million (~US$222.4 million; €1 = US$1.11) fund, €118 million (~US$130.6 million) will be allocated towards markets identified for high growth, such as China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and southern Asia, as well as Canada, United States and Mexico, with dairy and ruminant considered the most eligible sector.

Campaigns allocated for this market will focus on raising the profile of EU producers and their market share, especially for the promotion of beef or veal.

There will also be campaigns to promote high quality EU agri-food products and its production methods, as well as to highlight EU agri-products' food safety standards, traceability, authenticity, labelling, nutritional and health aspects, and animal welfare.

Phil Hogan, EU agriculture and rural development commissioner said current trade agreements will help EU producers increase exports to high growing markets, adding that the recent EU-China agreement is an example of how the commission is creating new export opportunities for EU agri-food products.

Producer organisations, trade organisations and agri-food groups (responsible for promotion activities) are eligible to apply for funding and submit proposals.

€100 million (~US$110.7 million) has been allocated to simple programmes (proposals submitted by one or more orgainisations within the same EU country) and €91.4 million (~US$110.1 million) to multi-programmes (proposals submitted by a minimum of two national organisations from two EU states; or from one or more EU organisation).

€9.5 million (~US$10.5 million) has been allocated for initiatives from the EU commission. These include communication campaigns, participation in fairs and diplomatic offensives led by the agriculture and rural development European commissioner. A further €17.2 million (~US$19 million) will be used to reinforce the initiatives, available from 2019 multi-promotion programmes.

-      European Commission