The interminable grey mist has descended over Brussels. Smart blazers are swapped out for big coats and hi-vis vests. The twinkle of fairy lights blurs inside condensation-filled windows. 2025 is gradually entering into its final act.
First and foremost, to state the obvious, it’s been a dynamic and chaotic year for trade. The Free Trade Agreement agenda in the EU is back in force, albeit with a more urgent edge than in the past. The US went rogue, forming framework agreements which flew in the face of the multilateral trading system.
On the agriculture front, it was somewhat less dramatic, but there were still some developments. We’re seeing a fresh approach under the steerage of a new Commissioner and the Vision for agriculture and food. A return to roots if you will and (hopefully) a drowning out of the noise. The food and feed omnibus will be eagerly awaited by all who hope for smoother and less onerous admin and compliance requirements for farmers and other supply chain actors.
Given that the final weeks of the year typically fly by in warp speed, it’s reasonable to already look ahead to 2026. For EU trade, we predict that the Mercosur and Mexico agreements will be the headline stories of next year. If we do not witness a ‘Mercosur Christmas’ in a few weeks’ time, we will certainly see the Mercosur accord dominating conversations well into the new year. The fast-track procedure for the regulation on the bilateral agricultural safeguard measures will now not be used by the European Parliament – this already indicates that the debate is far from over.
Mexico has already been concluded – a welcome upgrade of the original agreement from the year 2000. All going well, there should be a high-level visit by Mrs von der Leyen to Mexico in late January or early February to put a signature on the deal. Mexico has a pressing need to reduce some if its dependencies on its northern neighbour and a growing appetite for some of the best foods Europe can offer (I recently learned that European-style yoghurt rules the roost there)! CELCAA will be happy to celebrate this positive chapter in EU trade relations and all the prosperity this will hopefully bring.
Looking to agriculture, as alluded to above we hope for a year of simplification and facilitation, bringing it ‘back to basics’ so that food chain actors can focus on what they do best – bringing high quality, safe and sustainable food and inputs to the market and ultimately, to consumers.
What should be our aspirations for 2026?
Less lessons.
More certainty.
For our fabulous food and ingredients to move unhindered to those markets in which there is growing demand.
#keepitallmoving
CELCAA wishes you a rewarding end to 2025 and a hopeful 2026, wherever you might find yourself this year.