In March 2024, the EU agri-food trade surplus reached €6.7 billion, an 8% increase from the previous month and 3% higher than March 2023. Exports increased by 4% to €20.1 billion, mainly due to increased prices for olives and olive oil. Imports remained stable, reaching €13.5 billion, but 10% lower than March 2023. These are the main findings of […]
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Commission launches consultations on fisheries and maritime activities funding programmes
The European Commission launched two consultations to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of past and current funding programmes for fisheries and maritime activities. The first consultation aims to gather evidence and different perspectives on the management and use of the funds from various actors involved or interested, such as individuals, the fisheries and the maritime sectors, non-governmental and […]
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Commission seeks feedback on draft targeted amendments to rules on small amounts of State aid to the agricultural sector
The European Commission has launched a public consultation inviting all interested parties to comment on draft targeted amendments to the rules on small amounts of aid to the agricultural sector (‘Agricultural de minimis Regulation‘). All interested parties can respond to the public consultation until 21 July 2024. The proposed amendment The Agricultural de minimis Regulation exempts small amounts from State […]
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Commission clarifies support for farmers in case of exceptional weather events
The Commission adopted a Communication clarifying the use of force majeure and exceptional circumstances for the EU agricultural sector in case of unforeseeable and extreme weather events. By clarifying the legal interpretation of this concept, the Commission aims to provide certainty for affected farmers regarding their Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments, while also ensuring a uniform application across the Union by […]
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European Critical Raw Materials Act: law to ensure access to a diversified, affordable and sustainable supply enters into force
The European Critical Raw Materials Act entries into force, which aims at ensuring a diverse, secure, and sustainable supply of critical raw materials for the EU’s industry. Secured access to critical raw materials is essential for strategic sectors including clean technologies, digital, defence and aerospace industries. Europe now has a regulatory framework to strengthen domestic […]
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Decline in EU livestock population in 2023
In 2023, the EU‘s livestock populations were lower than a year earlier. Compared with 2022, the pig and bovine populations decreased by 1%, while sheep declined by 3%, and goats by 5%. In 2023, the EU had 133 million pigs, 74 million bovine animals, 58 million sheep, and 11 million goats. This information comes from provisional data […]
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The Commission welcomes the agreement on sustainable fisheries reached at Indian Ocean Tuna Commission
The EU welcomes the important decisions reached during the 28th annual meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), which will make fisheries in the Indian Ocean more sustainable. 11 new conservation and management measures were adopted. After three years of complex negotiations, and based on a proposal from the EU, the Members of the IOTC adopted a […]
Read MoreCouncil gives final green light to a targeted review of the common agricultural policy
The Council formally adopted a targeted review of certain basic acts of the common agricultural policy (CAP). This review comes as a response to concerns voiced by farmers in recent months and takes into account the impact of geopolitical developments, such as the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and of extreme weather events. Main elements of the […]
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Short-term outlook of agricultural markets: uncertainty remains a constant feature of EU farming
Agriculture remains impacted by several events outside of farmers’ control, such as climate and geopolitical crises, which continue to exert pressure on farmers. These have implications on productivity, trade, consumer demand, prices and ultimately on farmers’ income. Since the last short-term outlook (autumn 2023) and despite some favourable but limited developments in input costs, their […]
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