Choose quality products, choose EU origin!
Do you ever look at the origin of the products you buy? You are not the only one! It is in fact becoming a trend among EU citizens. Moreover since consumers are getting more interested and concerned about the way food products are produced, traceability and impact on the environment of production chains.
In March 2022, the European Commission published an Eurobarometer report entirely dedicated to the perception of European citizens about Agriculture and the EU common agricultural policy (CAP)[1]
Results showed how 95% of respondents, one out of ten, consider agriculture and rural areas of importance for the future.
But, what exactly implies this importance for the consumer? What factors are considered in the purchase of agricultural products for EU citizens?
Among other factors such as being part of a short supply chain and respecting tradition and local know-how, origin and quality indicators are key characteristics of the product for consumers in the EU.
Data shows that at least half of European citizens take into consideration the origin of the agricultural products acquired, even more when these products come from a geographical area they know.
Quality ensured through specific quality label indications is also a factor that at least two-thirds of respondents take into account and value.
More specifically, what EU consumers consider….[2]:
- When buying food products:
- For the origin of the product:
While this is a general result for the average EU citizen, results on the participating countries for this programme are quite positive too:
Results in Germany[3] show that:
-When purchasing food products:
- For the origin of the product:
For French consumers[4]:
-When purchasing food products:
- For the origin of the product:
In Spain[5]:
-When purchasing food products:
- For the origin of the product:
In the case of the European poultry sector, the strict EU regulations to ensure quality standards of the product are followed and also subject to continuously improving production conditions with regard to resource conservation, reduction of waste, more sustainable use of natural resources and animal welfare.
National efforts to show quality and origin of food products.
Following the positive aspects of indicating the origin of agricultural products[6], Member States have chosen different implementation methods to indicate this aspect of the products.
Among the participating countries in this programme, Member States’ choice to reflect origin in meat products, including poultry, was as follows[7]:
–Germany: Over 300 voluntary schemes that have an origin component for poultry meat in Germany. Besides, individual federal states count with their own origin-labeling scheme (Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein and North Rhine Westphalia).
–France: For poultry meat, la Volaille française’ (‘French poultry’) is based on an inter-branch agreement supported by the Association of French Poultry Producers to indicate origin of the poultry product.
Furthermore, the French government has proposed to require indicating the origin of fresh meat for all species sold in all restaurants
–Spain: Alimentos de España’ (‘Food from Spain’) is a voluntary Spanish origin label for poultry and other types of meat. Operators comply with those voluntary schemes to pursue product-differentiation strategies.
Promotion programme to inform about the Sustainable European Poultry Sector
SUST EU POULTRY is a two-year promotion campaign supported by the European Commission and launched by three national poultry associations and their European umbrella association (from Germany, France and Spain) with the main goal of raising awareness among European consumers and professionals about the sustainability of the European poultry sector and a product of great quality.
Find more information about the project here
You can also learn more about sustainability of the sector by downloading our press kit here.
Promotion programme to inform about the Sustainable European Poultry Sector
SUST EU POULTRY is a two-year promotion campaign supported by the European Commission and launched by three national poultry associations and their European umbrella association (from Germany, France and Spain) with the main goal of raising awareness among European consumers and professionals about the sustainability of the European poultry sector and a product of great quality.
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Additional information
PRESS CONTACT Ana María Martín ATLAS MARKETING STUDIO
internacional@atlasmarketingstudio.com | CONTACT AVEC Federica Chiarella AVEC SECRETARIAT
sust@eu-poultry.eu |
The content of the present advertising solely represents the opinion of the author and is the exclusive responsibility of the same.
The European Commission assumes no responsibility for the use that may be made of the information contained therein.
[1] Special Eurobarometer 520. Europeans, Agriculture and the CAP https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2665
[2] Special Eurobarometer 520. Europeans, Agriculture and the CAP https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2665
[3] Special Eurobarometer 520. Europeans, Agriculture and the CAP: Germany https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2665
[4] Special Eurobarometer 520. Europeans, Agriculture and the CAP: France https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2665
[5] Special Eurobarometer 520. Europeans, Agriculture and the CAP: Spain https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2665
[6] Special Eurobarometer 520. Europeans, Agriculture and the CAP
[7] COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT EVALUATION of the mandatory indication of the country of origin or place of provenance for fresh, chilled and frozen meat of swine, sheep, goats and poultry https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021SC0218&qid=1628749346728#footnote2
