Protein security is food security
Europe’s food and protein systems are facing growing pressure from geopolitical instability, climate disruption, trade interruptions and changing regulatory requirements. The war in Ukraine, instability around the Black Sea, vulnerable transport routes and extreme weather events have shown how quickly disruptions can affect production, supply and prices. Europe’s dependence on imported protein makes the system particularly exposed. Only around 8% of EU soya demand is covered by domestic production. Concentrated supply routes and limited regional processing capacity leave businesses and farmers with less room to absorb disruption, manage costs and plan
for the long term.
Changes in the availability and price of soya therefore affect farmers, feed producers,
processors, food companies and consumers across the wider agri-food system. This
challenge extends beyond soya. Europe also must diversify its protein base, expand
the cultivation of legumes and other protein crops, improve the use of existing
resources and strengthen value chains from farm to fork.

The opportunity for Europe
Unlike some other strategic dependencies, Europe has the land, farmers, knowledge, research capacity and market potential to produce more of its own protein. Functioning European soya supply chains already exist, demonstrating that certified European-origin protein can reduce import dependency while supporting food security, rural economies and more sustainable production. The challenge is to scale and connect these solutions. At the Congress, we will work together to turn this potential into durable, scalable regional systems. The transition must place farmers and rural communities at the centre. Sustainable diversification will only succeed if farmers have access to fair market conditions, finance, knowledge, suitable infrastructure and reliable buyers.

Why the Three Seas Region matters
The Three Seas Region connects the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Seas. It brings together important agricultural production areas, consumer markets, ports, transport routes, processing facilities and logistics corridors. The region includes 13 EU Member States: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova participate as associated states. Albania and Montenegro joined as participating states in 2025. The region has the potential to become a stronger European protein corridor, connecting production with processing, infrastructure and markets. It also offers important opportunities to improve North–South connectivity, strengthen supply-chain resilience and support Ukraine’s integration into European food and feed markets.

What to expect
The Donau Soja Congress brings political leadership, economic investment and value-chain partnerships together. It creates a focused setting for direct exchange across sectors, countries and perspectives. Over two days, the programme will examine how European protein policy can be translated into regional implementation and how practical solutions can be scaled across Europe.