2026 is set to be a defining year for the agri-food sector. During the second half of 2025 the political focus continued to shift towards competitiveness, resilience and simplification, and this tendency is expected to be further reinforced in 2026, manifesting itself in new waves of simplification and industrial support measures. Sustainability remains a core element of the EU’s long-term vision for a resilient economy and a robust agri-food system, even as certain competitiveness priorities place a different emphasis in current policy-making.
This fast-paced, volatile and uncertain landscape, driven by multiple priorities and geopolitical considerations, makes 2026 a critical moment for agri-food businesses to engage and prepare.
In this article, we examine the key developments expected in 2026 and highlight where companies should focus as the sector enters this strategically important phase.
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Agri-food Prognosis 2026: An Overview of the Year Ahead
EU action on agri-food in 2026 will be to a large extent steered by the Vision for the Future of EU Agriculture and Food. This Vision charts a long-term course for Europe’s agriculture and food system to 2040 and beyond, combining the need to strengthen competitiveness and strategic autonomy of the sector with the imperative to improve environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Farmers’ incomes, innovation and the capacity to adapt to the growing volatility in climate patterns sit at the core of this trajectory.
These strategic priorities are reflected in the European Commission’s 2026 Work Programme and the agenda of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU that started on the 1st of January 2026. Both emphasise the reduction of administrative burdens, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, alongside efforts to safeguard the economic sustainability of farming.
“The policy emphasis on circular and bio-based economy, decarbonisation, climate resiliency and adaptation, reducing waste, and increasing water use efficiency, as well as competitiveness and simplification, will gain prominence in 2026. At the same time, the policy ambition on nature protection could be lowered. Multiple policy files will be affected by the divisive political landscape and opening up of the recently-negotiated files, creating regulatory uncertainty for businesses.” Natalia, Head of Transparency & Supply Chain Team
Let’s look at the key developments expected in 2026 in more detail.
Key Agri-food Policy Developments Expected in 2026
Simplification
A number of omnibus simplification packages affect the agri-food sector, from Omnibus I on sustainability reporting to Omnibus III on CAP simplification and Omnibus on Food and Feed Safety.
Omnibus I
In 2026, the simplification process will continue to shape the agri-food sector through cross-sectoral omnibus initiatives and sector-specific adjustments. The Omnibus I package concerning the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and Taxonomy attracted significant attention in 2025, reflecting the new political reality of a centre-right and far-right coalition in the European Parliament. With the scope of these laws considerably decreased and requirements fixed through the revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards, companies that remain in scope can already begin preparing for compliance starting in 2028 and 2029. The European Commission will focus on developing guidelines for the CSDDD and revising the Voluntary SME (VSME) standard, which will replace the current VSME standard designed for the previous CSRD scope.
Omnibus III
The Omnibus III package, focused on the simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), was adopted in 2025 and functions as a bridge between the current policy cycle and the deeper redesign planned for the CAP beyond 2027. While limited to short-term fixes, the measures it introduces signal the political direction for the next reform.
The Omnibus III package includes decreased farm inspections, increased support for small farmers, and greater flexibility in Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC) rules for organic farmers. In 2026, Member States will need to revise their CAP Strategic Plans to align with these changes. The crucial negotiations over the CAP beyond 2027 will continue in 2026.
Food and Feed Safety Omnibus
At the same time, legislative processes and negotiations on the omnibus focusing on food and feed safety requirements will move forward throughout 2026. Unveiled in December 2025, this omnibus affects 11 regulations and aims to streamline processes and reduce administrative burdens for farmers while maintaining high safety standards. It contains amendments affecting the approvals and use of pesticides, biocides, genetically modified food and feed, hygiene rules, feed additives, border checks, and animal welfare at slaughter, many of which are highly contentious. The negotiations will span many months into 2026.
Organic Regulation
The EU Organic Regulation will remain in transition through 2026, as the Commission continues efforts to simplify certification and reduce paperwork, an agenda closely tied to the EU’s struggle to reach its target of 25% organic farmland by 2030. In 2025, the Commission carried out a stock-taking exercise to identify the main bottlenecks for farmers, certifiers, and importers, including uneven interpretations across Member States, heavy documentation demands, and challenges with group certification.
“This review has led to targeted simplification updates introduced in December 2025. For companies, this means gaining greater clarity on organic import rules under the equivalence regime, adjusting to the extension of third-country recognitions beyond 31 December 2026 to avoid trade disruptions, and operating within a streamlined framework that supports informed consumer choice, fair competition, and the competitiveness of EU organic production.” – Francesca, Senior Consultant, Transparency & Supply Chain Team
Supply Chain
Aside from the above-mentioned Omnibus I on sustainability reporting that covers supply chain due diligence, a number of regulations from Forced Labour Regulation (FLR) to EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will affect companies and their supply chains. While FLR is not expected to be affected by the simplification process, EUDR has already been simplified and potentially this process will continue in 2026.
EU Deforestation Regulation
The negotiations over the simplification of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) were finalised at the end of 2025. It will come into application for large companies in December 2026 and six months later for SMEs. At the same time, it will already be subject to review with the aim of simplification by April 2026.
“This means that agri-food companies will need to face the double challenge of preparing for application by the end of 2026, while also monitoring possible adjustments to the framework.” – Arthur Faure, Public Affairs Assistant, Transparency & Supply Chain Team
Forced Labour Regulation
The Forced Labour Regulation will move into a crucial preparatory phase. During 2026, the Commission will work on guidelines and on shaping the EU’s Forced Labour portal in view of implementation starting in December 2027. This work will lay the foundations for how companies are expected to assess and demonstrate that their products are not linked to forced labour.
“Companies should verify that they have proper due diligence processes that allow them to uncover the risk of forced labour. The importance of traceability and documentation cannot be overestimated, as competent authorities in case of investigation will require proof that the products have not been made with forced labour.” – Arthur, Public Affairs Assistant, Transparency & Supply Chain Team
Packaging, Packaging Waste, Food Waste, and Circular Bio-Economy
The EU’s push for greater circularity and circular bio-economy is increasingly built on a coherent policy architecture. Multiple policy instruments will facilitate the shift from linear toward regenerative, circular, and bio-based production models.
The Circular Economy Act will set the strategic direction by promoting resource efficiency, product durability and systemic waste reduction across value chains. These principles flow directly into the Waste Framework Directive and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The Bioeconomy Strategy will push for smarter use of biological resources, scaling up valorisation of agricultural residues and food by-products, and reducing dependence on fossil-derived inputs.
Packaging and Package Waste Regulation (PPWR)
PPWR entered into force in January 2025, will begin to take effect in 2026, and will gradually roll out obligations through to 2040. The Regulation applies to all packaging placed on the EU market and therefore affects agri-food manufacturers, importers and retailers across a wide range of categories.
From 2026, businesses will face stricter reduction targets, expanded restrictions on single-use formats, minimum recycled-content rules and new obligations related to reusability and recyclability. Requirements for transport packaging, take-back schemes, harmonised labelling, reporting and waste-sorting instructions will also become more prescriptive.
“By August 2026, companies will need to appoint an authorised representative and register with a Producer Responsibility Organisation in each Member State, where its packaging is likely to become waste. Extended Producer Responsibility fees for packaging will need to be paid. From 2028 onwards, performance requirements, such as recyclability, recycled content, reusability and minimisation of packaging become mandatory. At the same time, PPWR will be affected by the environmental omnibus.” – Clelia, Junior Consultant, Circularity & Chemicals Team
Waste Framework Directive
Food waste will also enter a pivotal phase in 2026 following the revision of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD). Member States must designate their food-waste coordination authorities early in the year and begin operationalising or updating their national food-waste prevention programmes. These must reflect the new binding targets: a 10% reduction at processing and manufacturing level and a 30% reduction at retail and consumer level by 2030.
The WFD also promotes the recovery of secondary raw materials and the circular use of biological resources. Agri-food businesses should expect closer oversight, possible tightening of donation and redistribution rules and stronger incentives to reduce waste through better forecasting, packaging design and date-labelling practices.
Bioeconomy Strategy and Biotech Act
The Bioeconomy Strategy, released in November 2025, lays the groundwork for strengthening the EU’s role in the global bioeconomy. The agri-food sector is central to this shift as both a major user and producer of biological resources. The strategy aims to expand EU support for emerging bio-based markets, such as natural textiles and fibres and biopesticides, and outlines how the EU intends to advance its broader bioeconomy ambitions.
“As the EU raises its ambitions in the bioeconomy, the agri-food sector is set to play an even bigger role. It’s a chance to turn innovation into real opportunities, from better farming practices to new sustainable products that can boost competitiveness and resilience across the entire value chain.” – Francesca, Senior Consultant, Transparency & Supply Chain Team
The second part of the Biotech Act, beyond healthcare, is anticipated for the third quarter of 2026 and will focus on biomanufacturing, production and value chains. The Act will aim to create a clearer regulatory framework to support innovation in food-production systems while ensuring high safety standards.
Carbon farming
The Carbon Removal Certification Framework Regulation (CRCF), that includes carbon farming, contributes to the regulatory framework needed to build a climate-positive bioeconomy of the next decade.
Work on the voluntary framework for certifying carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage will continue throughout 2026. The Commission will move forward with methodologies for Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage, Biogenic Carbon Capture and Storage and biochar, while carbon farming methodologies are expected early in the year.
In parallel, the Commission is considering a legislative proposal to allow CRCF-certified permanent carbon removals to be used within the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and will launch a consultation on this later in 2026.
“Agri-food emissions are not yet covered by ETS, however a subset of agri-food-related removals can be CRCF-certified and ETS eligible (biochar, BECCS from agri-residues) opening up additional revenue sources for actors in the agri-food value-chain.” – Natalia, Head of Transparency & Supply Chain Team
Public Procurement
Public procurement can facilitate the adoption of circular, bio-based models by supporting the off-take of sustainable products. The European Commission will publish its proposal for the revision of the Public Procurement Directive in the second quarter of 2026, with the public consultation open until 26 January 2026. The reform is expected to simplify procedures, streamline public tenders and better enable SME participation. One of the most debated aspects is the possible introduction of mandatory green public procurement criteria.
For the agri-food sector, the introduction of mandatory environmental, social and economic sustainability considerations in public food procurement could play an important role in shaping future production and consumption patterns. Social criteria are expected to include elements such as health, nutrition and animal welfare. The “Buy European Food” campaign is also expected to shape the revised framework. It aims to support farmers by strengthening their position in the food chain, ensuring fair prices and increasing transparency for consumers about food origins, while promoting high-quality European food.
Key Takeaways for Agri-food Businesses Going Into 2026
The regulatory environment for agri-food in 2026 will be shaped by the convergence of multiple legislative developments, all unfolding against the broader EU efforts to balance competitiveness, simplification, resilience and sustainability. As regulatory frameworks are being adopted or adjusted across due diligence and supply chains, circularity and bio-economy, packaging, waste, public procurement, and other areas, companies will need to monitor the developments closely and take early steps to prepare for upcoming obligations. And of course, Ohana Public Affairs can support you in these efforts.
The year ahead will also offer opportunities, with measures facilitating the decarbonisation and competitiveness of the sector being shaped. Stay tuned on our blog as we cover how this will play out for the sector. And for the latest insights in agri-food sustainability, sign up to our monthly agri-food newsletter or explore our newly launched Basecamp platform.