Background

Data & Trends of the European Food and Drink Industry 2018

Published: 11/10/2018

Europe's food and drink industry means: 4.57 million people employed throughout the EU, a turnover of €1.1 trillion and €230 billion in value added, which make it the largest manufacturing industry in the EU. In half of the EU’s 28 Member States, the food and drink industry is the biggest employer within manufacturing.

The Data & Trends report also provides an outlook on markets. About ¾ of EU food and drink exports are destined to the Single Market. At the same time, the EU is the largest exporter of food and drink products in the world. In 2017, extra-EU exports reached €110 billion, with a trade surplus of €35 billion. Finally, the report includes a ranking of the top-50 food and drink companies.