The EU imports around 17 million tonnes of crude protein every year, but European vegetable protein production is increasing, according to a European Commission report published on Thursday 22 November (see EUROPE 12003).
The Commission has adopted the report on the development of plant proteins, which takes stock of supply and demand (rapeseed and sunflower seeds, lentils) in the EU and explores ways to increase their production in an economically rational and environmentally friendly way.
Phil Hogan, the Agriculture Commissioner, admits that due to various market and climate-related factors, European protein crop production is not sufficient to meet growing demand.
Dependence on imported soya. The demand for vegetable proteins in Europe is high: 27 million tonnes (t) of crude protein in 2016/2017. However, the EU's self-sufficiency rate varies considerably depending on the origin of these proteins (79% for rapeseed and 5% for soya). The EU therefore imports around 17 million tonnes of crude protein each year, including 13 million tonnes made from soya, mainly from Brazil, Argentina and the United States.
Despite this, the area devoted to soya in the EU has doubled since the 2013 CAP reform, reaching almost one million hectares. Production of legumes (feed peas, broad beans, lentils, chickpeas) has almost tripled in the EU since 2013.
Although animal feed remains the main market (93%) for these products, the vegetable protein market has been highly segmented, with growing demand in the high quality feed and food sectors. The market for dietary vegetable proteins is growing at double-digit rates.
In the absence of a real strategy, the report presents ways forward for the development of protein crops in the EU: - support for vegetable protein producers through their inclusion in the future 'national strategic plans' of the CAP; - increased competitiveness through research and innovation; - improved market analysis and transparency; - awareness raising on the nutritional and environmental benefits of vegetable proteins. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)