On 8 October, the European Commission published a broad overview of the EU’s plant protein market in the form of fact sheets, showing in particular that the European arable crop sector supplied 64 million tonnes of crude protein in 2023-2024.
Most of this volume comes from roughage, followed by cereals and oilseeds. Dry pulses account for only 1.1 million tonnes. However, this volume does not cover all the EU’s needs in the food, feed and industrial sectors.
To make up its shortfall in plant proteins, the EU imports plant-based products that amount to 19 million tonnes of crude protein.
In its Versailles Declaration of 11 March 2022, the European Council called for boosting EU plant protein production (see EUROPE 13416/10). The data show that the EU is heavily dependent on imports of soya beans and soya bean meal.
Information is provided on common agricultural policy (CAP) measures aimed at reducing the EU’s plant protein deficit. Twenty CAP strategic plans provide for coupled income support for protein crops. Almost all Member States have made provision for at least one intervention under an eco-scheme or agri-environmental and climate commitments.
To close the research and investment gap on pulses and proteins, the EU has invested €644 million in 125 ‘Horizon 2020’ and ‘Horizon Europe’ research projects since 2015, according to European Commission data.
Further details: https://aeur.eu/f/dw7 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)