EU: First in exports of agricultural products, but without benefits

In the first position in export of agri-food remains the European Union, according to the latest annual report on the trade of agrifood products…
The european Commission, however, the benefits enjoyed by European farmers from the export profit is very little.
Despite the fact that some member states and areas continue to suffer from the Russian embargo and the low prices in the global market, the overall performance of trade in agricultural products in the EU were positive in 2015.
According to the report, exports in 2015, an increase of 5.7%, reaching 129 billion. euro 2015. The EU becomes the first world exporter of agricultural food products, with a net trade surplus of € 16 billion. euro.
The total production of the agricultural sector of the European Union was valued at 410 billion. euro 2015.
Agriculture and the food and beverage industry together employ millions of people, representing 7.5% of employment and 3.7% of the total value added in the EU.
The central αγροτοσυνεταιριστικές organisations Copa and Cogeca warned that the income of farmers is crucial and noted that should benefit more from the export profit.
The Secretary-General of the two organisations, mr Pekka Pesonen, pointed out that “farmers do not receive particular benefits from this profit. Farm income is on average only half the level of average earnings in the EU fell again last year because of low producer prices and high input costs”. Still, it reported that income receive constant pressure from their processors and retailers. This has got to stop. “We need a fair, transparent functioning of the food supply chain. Farmers must have a greater involvement in the prices paid by consumers, which is sufficient to ensure that a fair margin of profit,” he added.
In this direction required written contracts between producers, processors and retailers, in order to ensure a fair price for their products and get paid on time. We need mandatory legislation at EU level, so that companies are fined when they violate. “We also need to encourage the producers to join forces in cooperatives in order to improve the market for their products,” said mr Pesonen.
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