COFALEC, the European Confederation of Yeast Producers, successfully hosted its 67th General Assembly in Brussels, bringing together members from across Europe for a full day of discussions, reports, and forward-looking conversations on the future of the yeast sector.
The Assembly provided the opportunity to present the results of COFALEC’s 2025 annual data collection, confirming the strength and resilience of the European yeast industry. The sector recorded a total turnover of €1.3 billion, a significant increase compared to the previous year, and employed close to 4,000 people across Europe. These figures underline the sector’s important contribution to the European agri-food economy.
Panels with External Speakers
The afternoon session featured four high-level panels with external speakers covering agri-food value chain resilience, EU advocacy, ETS legislation, and energy and carbon markets, reflecting the breadth of challenges and opportunities facing the sector today.
The Assembly also confirmed Ljubljana as the host city for the 2028 General Assembly, marking another milestone in COFALEC’s pan-European journey.
Vincent Saingier, President of COFALEC, commented: “This 67th General Assembly was an opportunity to take full measure of our sector’s achievements and to chart the course for the months ahead. The quality of the discussions and the constructive spirit that animated our exchanges give me great confidence in COFALEC’s ability to tackle the challenges that lie before us. I am proud to lead an association that brings together such committed and passionate professionals.”
Carlotta Trucillo,Secretary General of COFALEC, added: “The General Assembly is not only a moment to reflect on the achievements of the past year but also a crucial forum for shaping our future strategies. Once again, among the challenges we face, the centrality of our sector for the food security clearly emerges. Crucially, this includes the security of raw material supply for production, which cannot be jeopardized by competition with energy uses and any resulting market distortions. Molasses is a raw material for food and feed, first and foremost. This role, along with its benefits for the European food and feed industries, must not be lost sight of by EU institutions and the supply chain, especially in this era of significant change. Ensuring a strong and resilient sector is key to preserving Europe’s food and feed security in the future ahead.”
