Data & Trends 2021 shows that the EU food and drink industry employs 4.5 million people, generates a turnover of €1.1 trillion and €222 billion in value added, making it a major contributor to the EU economy. In almost half of the EU’s 27 Member States, the food and drink industry is the largest manufacturing employer. This year’s edition includes the latest data on the bioeconomy, the EU-UK food and drink trade, consumer expectations, and an overview of the industry's contribution to delivering more sustainable food systems.

Data & Trends 2021 also provides an outlook on markets. The EU is the largest exporter of food and drink products in the world with extra-EU exports reaching €145 billion and a trade surplus of €67 billion. The report also includes a ranking of the top 50 food and drink companies in the world.

For an in-depth analysis of our industry’s key contribution to the European economy, we invite you to discover the latest detailed industry figures in our Data and Trends report.