Small & Medium-sized Enterprises
(SMEs) at the heart of Europe’s
food and drink industry


285000
food and drink SMEs in Europe

91.1%
of food and drink companies

2.8 mill
employees of food and drink companies

White paper
Priorities for a Policy Framework to support SMEs
In the Commissioner's words
SMEs remain the lifeblood of our economy, representing 99% of all businesses in the EU. In the past five years, they have created 85% of new jobs and provided two-thirds of total private sector employment. Our single European market remains our greatest strength, providing entrepreneurs with massive opportunities both at home and abroad. I firmly believe that our food and drink SMEs epitomise so much of what is great about European business.
Phil Hogan
European Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development
Explore the universe of Europe’s Food and Drink SMEs

40% of our sales are within the EU. Being a member of the EU has made it easier to expand our business in what is the largest trading block in the world.
More information: Walsh Whiskey Distillery at Royal Oak...

Innovation is very important in order to differentiate one’s product in a very crowded market place (Irish whiskey is considered a premium product). As a smaller producer we have great flexibility and can innovate at every stage of the process ‐ ...

Since 2007, in keeping with our philosophy of providing total transparency and maximum information, Terra Creta has offered customers the ability to trace the route of every one of our products, from the olive grove to the point of sale, through the ...