Europe and Central Asia is a diverse region encompassing high-income economies, middle-income countries and countries in transition, each with distinct food and agriculture priorities. The region has made significant progress in agricultural productivity, food safety standards, trade integration and sustainable resource management, yet food insecurity persists: in 2023, food insecurity affected 11.5 percent of the population, while an estimated 64.3 million people were unable to afford a healthy diet. At the same time, ongoing innovation, digitalization and evolving food systems continue to create opportunities to strengthen the sustainability, resilience and competitiveness of the agrifood sector.

Over recent decades, the region has undergone substantial economic and agricultural transformation, with increased private sector participation across agrifood value chains. The region remains a major producer of cereals, horticultural products, livestock, fisheries and forestry products, while sustainable management of land, water, forests and biodiversity is critical for long-term resilience and climate adaptation.  Water security, particularly in Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Western Balkans, has emerged as a critical factor for the sustainability and resilience of agrifood systems.

Despite considerable progress, challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, rural depopulation and market volatility continue to affect agrifood systems. In response, FAO works with Members and partners through three Regional Priority Programmes focused on inclusive rural transformation, healthy diets and sustainable agrifood systems, and natural resource management, environmental protection and climate resilience. Across the region, FAO collaborates with organizations such as COLDIRETTI, Danone, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, and the Turkish Food and Beverage Industry Associations Federation (TGDF) to promote sustainable value chains, nutrition, innovation, responsible investment, market access and opportunities for farmers, producer organizations and agrifood SMEs. 

FAO welcomes engagement with the private sector to foster knowledge exchange, support innovation and sustainable business practices, and help address the region's evolving food and agriculture challenges. In line with the FAO Strategy for Private Sector Engagement 2026-2030, FAO seeks to foster innovation, responsible investment and sustainable finance, promote climate action, science and technology, and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), producer organizations and other agrifood actors. Together, we can advance more resilient, competitive and sustainable agrifood systems across Europe and Central Asia.