Europe’s plant-based food sector has received an important boost with the launch of the European Commission’s new Protein Action Plan, published in July 2026.
The plan aims to strengthen the resilience, strategic autonomy and sustainability of Europe’s protein system by increasing domestic production, improving supply chains and supporting research and innovation. The European Commission says stronger EU protein production could create new economic and environmental opportunities while reducing Europe’s dependence on imported protein sources.
For the Plant Power Project, this development is particularly relevant. Building stronger plant-based food value chains will require more than increased production. It will also depend on innovation, skills, entrepreneurship and the ability of businesses to turn new opportunities into products that consumers want.
Following the publication of the Action Plan, a cross-sector coalition representing Europe’s plant-based value chain welcomed the announcement as an important step.
Plant-Based Foods Europe, together with the European Alliance for Plant-based Foods, the European Vegetable Protein Association and Starch Europe, described the plan as an important political milestone for Europe’s food security, competitiveness and climate ambitions.
The coalition particularly welcomed the focus on strengthening European value chains and increasing investment in research, innovation, processing infrastructure and new technologies. These areas are essential if Europe wants to turn increased plant protein production into real economic opportunities.
The European Commission has also highlighted the importance of strengthening storage and processing infrastructure, supporting innovation and building more resilient protein supply chains.
Growing more protein crops is only one part of the picture.
For plant-based foods to grow successfully, businesses must be able to develop products that meet expectations around taste, nutrition, affordability, convenience and sustainability.
This is particularly important for SMEs.
Smaller food businesses can play an important role in bringing new plant-based products to market, but they often have fewer resources for product development, market research, sustainability planning and specialist training.
This is where skills and knowledge become just as important as investment.
Plant-Based Foods Europe has also called for greater attention to the demand side of the market, including measures that make plant-based foods more accessible and help companies scale successfully. The coalition argues that stronger markets will be needed alongside investment in production and processing if the Action Plan is to reach its full potential.
The EU Action Plan also highlights the wider economic opportunities associated with developing stronger European protein value chains.
At present, Europe remains highly dependent on imports for some high-protein crops. The Commission reports that only around 25% of protein from oilseeds and protein crops used in the EU was sourced within the EU in 2025.
Building greater European capacity could therefore create opportunities across agriculture, processing, food manufacturing and product innovation.
However, taking advantage of these opportunities will require collaboration between farmers, food producers, researchers, educators, entrepreneurs and policymakers.
The plant-based sector has also stressed the role of EU Member States in turning the Action Plan into practical measures through national strategies, investment, research and innovation support.
These developments closely reflect the work of the Plant Power Project.
Plant Power supports Europe’s food sector in adopting plant-based innovation and sustainability by providing practical resources for food SMEs, VET educators and policymakers.
Through our Good Practice Guide, Open Educational Resources and online SME course, the project helps businesses and educators build knowledge in areas including product innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable food development.
As Europe places greater emphasis on resilient and sustainable protein value chains, developing these skills will become increasingly important.
The EU Protein Action Plan creates a stronger policy environment for change. The next step is ensuring that businesses, educators and innovators have the knowledge and tools to turn that ambition into practical action.
For Europe’s plant-based food sector, the opportunity is growing. Now is the time to build the skills, products and partnerships needed to make the most of it.
Explore the Plant Power resources
Read the Plant-Based Foods Europe statement:
https://plantbasedfoodseurope.eu/the-eus-protein-action-plan-a-welcome-step-now-lets-build-on-it-together-joint-statement-by-the-cross-sectoral-coalition-of-european-plant-based-value-chain-stakeholders/
