The first European Meat Conference, jointly organized by the international meat magazine “EuroMeatNews.com” and FORUM SA as part of the FOOD EXPO exhibition, successfully concluded.
Titled “Transformations and Opportunities for the Meat Industry in the Challenging European Market,” the conference addressed the structural changes faced by the meat industry in Europe. With the participation of prominent international institutional representatives and top industry executives across Europe, discussions focused on how trends toward more sustainable food and stricter regulations influence the production and trade of animal proteins in the region. Key challenges highlighted included the war in Ukraine, U.S. tariffs, and animal diseases as the three most significant obstacles the European meat market must overcome. Dorinel Niculae (EuroMeatNews.com, Romania) coordinated the conference and presented a short video of Grillfest, the international meat festival held in Romania.
The first panel featured speakers including Stelios Skarimpas (President of SEVEC – Greek Association of Meat Processing Industries), Paolo Patruno (Secretary General of CLITRAVI – Liaison Office for the Meat Processing Industry in the EU, and Secretary General of ESA – European Spice Association), Emilio Becker (International Meat Expert, Spain), Vihren Dimitrov (Bulgarian Association of Meat Processors / Golyamo Vranovo, Bulgaria), and Ibrahim El Khalil (CEO of Maria FoodNova, Romania).
The President of SEVEC addressed the challenges faced by the meat industry in Greece, including strict regulatory requirements for the green transition, energy issues, and natural disasters affecting agricultural production. He also discussed opportunities for companies looking to grow through premium, local, and organic products, as well as the potential for the industry to utilize by-products and leverage technological advancements to optimize production, focusing on smart processing and increasing exports to developing markets.
Next, Mr. Paolo Patruno spoke about the “European Livestock Voice,” an association of the largest organizations in the EU actively addressing the issues faced by European livestock farmers. He highlighted their efforts to raise awareness among consumers and lawmakers in the European Parliament to reverse the unjust negative correlation between livestock farming and climate change. He also emphasized the importance of producing unique products with exceptional taste and quality that are hard to resist, as well as the necessity for regulatory frameworks to take the sector’s realistic challenges into account to ensure they are both applicable and effective.
Later, Mr. Becker pointed out: “We are facing an absolutely uncertain environment where anything can happen. The world is changing rapidly. At the moment, Latin America is selling at one-third of the price compared to Europe, so we need to eliminate waste to stay competitive.”
Subsequently, Mr. Dimitrov remarked: “We are in a period full of challenges for the sector in Europe, resulting in an increase in imports, a shrinking industry, and even tougher competition with Latin American countries.”
Finally, Mr. El Khalil underlined that sheep meat presents significant opportunities in the European market. He added: “The international environment has changed radically, so we need to be very cautious. In South America, they have worked hard to improve their quality and technology to enter the European market, where standards are high”.
Trends, Innovations, and Predictions for 2025
The conference also explored trends and innovations shaping the future of the livestock and meat industry. Export opportunities in India were mentioned within the framework of the trade agreement between the European Union and India.
The second panel included Mr. Tibor Abraham (Commercial Director of Alfoldi Sertes, Hungary), Mr. Ivan Osmak (CEO of MeatBorsa, Bulgaria), Mr. Thomas Vassaras (CEO of Greekexports SMPC / Sales Director of HAQ, Greece), and Mr. Yiannis Felemegas, a member of the Greek – Romanian Chamber.
Mr. Abraham stressed the need for the European sector to do more to protect itself from emerging risks. Following this, Mr. Osmak stated: “The European meat sector is perhaps the only one trying to solve the problem of excessive regulations with even more regulations. As a result, I think we are on the wrong track because, inevitably, products become more expensive and less competitive.”
Following this, Mr. Vassaras addressed the halal markets, which encompass a population of 2 billion and a GDP of 24 trillion dollars. He highlighted the significant opportunities available for European meat producers and processors to expand their presence in these markets, emphasizing the importance of being open to change.
Lastly, Mr. Felemegas spoke about the high quality of Romanian products, which aligns with consumer demands. He noted the continuous improvement in this area, evident through the certification of Romanian producers according to increasingly strict European operational standards.
In any case, the conference underscored the necessity for the European meat industry to adapt to new conditions by enhancing its production in terms of sufficiency, quality, innovation, and traceability. This approach is vital not only to meet consumer expectations but also to maintain competitiveness in the global market.