Connecting agro-food businesses to the world with Enterprise Europe Network

The European agro-food sector is working to produce healthy, safe food while using natural resources more efficiently. It also plays a key role in tackling big challenges like food security, climate change, environmental protection, competitiveness, and recovery after the pandemic. The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) group of experts in agro-food supports businesses on their journey to create clean, safe, and sustainable products and services.

Agro-food – covering farming, agriculture, and food processing – is a key sector for Europe. It plays a vital role in providing safe, high-quality, and sustainable food, while driving innovation and supporting over 44 million jobs across the EU.

Today, the sector faces big challenges like climate change, limited resources, shifting consumer expectations, and the impact of the pandemic. But these challenges also bring new opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses to make agro-food more transparent, sustainable, and innovative. Consumers want to know where their food comes from and how it’s made – and they care more than ever about its environmental and social impact. At the same time, the sector is embracing digital tools like AI, machine learning, and the Internet of Things to improve the way food is produced and delivered from farm to fork.

The Enterprise Europe Network helps SMEs stay ahead of these changes and unlock new opportunities across the agro-food value chain.
 

Shaping the agro-food sector of tomorrow

This is how the dedicated EEN agro-food group came to life. Its mission is to support SMEs, start-ups, universities, and R&D organisations in the sector with expert advice and help them grow internationally.

The group brings together 90 members from across the EU and beyond, covering business, technology, and innovation in the agro-food field. By connecting clients with the right partners, the group helps turn ideas into results: over 200 partnership agreements were signed in 2019 alone thanks to its support.
 

Bringing all to the table: Fostering partnerships during the European Free From and Functional Retail Exhibition

To connect potential business partners in the agro-food sector, the Network regularly organises matchmaking events. One recent example was the business-to-business matchmaking session at the European Free From and Functional Retail Exhibition, held on 23-24 November in Amsterdam. 

The event brought together 8,000 food professionals from around the world, including managers, manufacturers, marketers, and food technologists. It also featured 50 expert speakers and over 300 exhibitors showcasing vegan, organic, and functional food products.

Participants also had the opportunity to hear from experts about two major trends in the healthy food industry: ‘free from’ or ‘clean label’ products – which include a shorter, cleaner, and clearer list of ingredients, and ‘functional’ products – to which nutritious ingredients were added to boost the item’s health value. Visitors explored innovative products like organic seeds and grains, gluten-free bread, vegan chocolate bars, and specialties such as natural spices and teas.

To make the event more accessible, the matchmaking sessions went hybrid in 2021. This allowed SMEs around the world to join either in person or online and connect with potential partners. Although pandemic restrictions limited in-person attendance, the Network’s agro-food experts were present on site to support companies during the matchmaking sessions. The event was a great success, bringing together over 285 agro-food buyers and producers who explored more than 450 business opportunities across the sector.
 

How can the Network help you?

The event was a great platform for sharing agro-food knowledge, experiences, and building new partnerships. Several food producers found business partners during the matchmaking sessions and are already looking forward to the next edition.

Curious to learn more about how the Network supports businesses in the agro-food sector? Watch the webinar by Network Adviser Annemarie Destree at the Free From Food expo, check out our dedicated video, and get in touch with your local contact point!