In a significant revelation, Eurostat has unveiled the 2023 edition of “Key Figures on the European Food Chain,” shedding light on the intricate and interconnected nature of the European Union’s (EU) farm-to-fork chain. This comprehensive publication offers a glimpse into the various facets of the EU’s agricultural landscape through the lens of official data.
The report is meticulously structured into three distinct sections:
1. Agriculture and Fisheries Overview:
The inaugural section delves into the realms of agriculture and fisheries, placing a primary focus on the production of agricultural and fishery products. In addition to providing crucial insights into these production processes, this section furnishes structural information about farms and the fishing fleet. Furthermore, it offers a nuanced perspective on employment within these sectors and presents key economic data.
2. Downstream Activities in the Food Chain:
While certain products find their way directly from farms to consumers, the majority navigate through a complex web of the food chain. The second section of the publication intricately covers the downstream activities, encapsulating the processing, trade, distribution, and consumption of food and beverages. This segment aims to unravel the intricacies involved in the later stages of the food chain.
3. Environmental Concerns Across the Food Chain:
The conclusive section focuses on environmental considerations at various stages of the food chain, emphasizing issues such as the generation of food waste. This recognition of environmental factors underscores the publication’s commitment to addressing broader sustainability challenges associated with food production and consumption.
It is noteworthy that the datasets incorporated in “Key Figures on the European Food Chain” span until the years 2021 or 2022, and are presented using intuitive visualizations. The report stands as a testament to Eurostat’s dedication to providing a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of the dynamics shaping the European food chain landscape.
