European Snacks Association releases 2025 annual report highlighting advocacy and policy engagement

The European Snacks Association (ESA) is a Brussels-based trade association representing the European savoury snacks industry since 1961. Bringing together around 200 companies of all sizes across 40 countries and accounting for approximately 80% of the branded European savoury snacks market. ESA has released its annual report outlining the association’s advocacy work, policy engagement, working group activities and key events during the year.

Sebastian Emig, Director General of the European Snacks Association:

"After several challenging years, the European savoury snacks sector has emerged stronger, more agile and more ambitious. With competitiveness once again moving to the top of the EU policy agenda, this shift plays to the strengths of our industry."

"Throughout the year, ESA has worked closely with its members and European institutions to provide robust data, technical expertise and practical solutions, ensuring that policy discussions remain science-based, proportionate and supportive of innovation. The achievements highlighted in this annual report demonstrate the value of collaboration across the sector and confirm the important role ESA plays in representing the European snacks industry at EU level."

Advocacy achievements and policy engagement

According to the report, ESA was actively involved in EU policy and regulatory processes throughout 2025. The association contributed to European Commission consultations, co-signed joint industry letters on trade-related issues, submitted proposals aimed at regulatory simplification, and provided extensive scientific and technical data to EFSA, including large datasets related to acrylamide and food additives.

Work of ESA working groups

ESA’s working groups continued to play a central role in its activities. The EC Regulatory Working Group focused on food law and regulatory files, the Public Affairs and Communications Working Group addressed reputation and outreach, the Nut Processors Working Group covered issues relevant to the nut supply chain, and the Sustainability Working Group worked on environmental and reporting topics affecting the sector.

Events and activities in 2025

The annual report also recaps ESA’s events and engagement activities during the year. These included the 10th edition of the Share a Snack event in Brussels, activities linked to the International Day of the Potato, two Snack Production Courses held in Budapest and Vienna, participation in the EFSA Stakeholder Forum, and the publication of a sustainability report outlining progress across the sector.