12/12/2006
CIAA position on the Commission Communication - “Global Europe: Competing in the World”
The global challenge

In 2005, the EU food and drink industry exported products worth € 47 billion and contributed to a positive trade balance. After several years of weak performance, food and drink exports increased by 5.2% in 2005. Nonetheless, since 1999 the share of EU products on world markets has been steadily shrinking from 24% to roughly 18%. Furthermore, 7 out of 10 main export destinations, which represent nearly half of the export value, are exported to developed countries, like the US, Japan, Switzerland, Canada with static consumption patterns.



Up until now, EU food and drink companies may have been able to sell products at premium price due to quality, branding and related services. However, considering the important investment of non-EU industries in research and innovation there is a real challenge for EU companies to live up to their current advantage.

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