EU policymakers have been told to enable policy and investment to "unleash" the potential of agricultural co-operatives.

Some 130 representatives of European co-ops met this week at a business forum ran by Cogeca, which represents EU agricultural co-operatives and which is one half of Copa Cogeca, which also represents farmers.

Meeting in Spain, the co-op representatives said that the role of co-ops has "never been more vital" as a result of geopolitical uncertainty, market volatility, climate pressures and global competition.

"By investing in processing, storage, logistics, energy, water management and digital infrastructure, accelerating innovation and strengthening agri-food supply chains, co-operatives are building Europe's capacity to respond," Cogeca said.

The group said that the EU’s agricultural co-operatives are "strategic economic actors and assets for Europe's security, competitiveness and growth".

During the two-day meeting this week, co-op leaders, as well as other stakeholders, discussed how to "scale-up" co-ops.

They called for a well-functioning single market, a level playing field, competition rules that recognise the specificities of agricultural cooperation, and simpler conditions for integration and growth.

With talks of the EU long-term budget for 2028-2034 underway, Cogeca called for a budget that will support co-operative investment through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The group also called for Common Market rules that would strengthen producer organisations and collective action.

"These tools must complement one another and provide the long-term certainty the sector needs to invest," Cogeca said.

Lennart Nilsson, president of Cogeca, said: "For generations agricultural co-operatives have enabled farmers to achieve together what they could not achieve alone.

"By bringing farmers together, pooling resources and investing collectively, agri-cooperatives are powerful catalysts for meeting these challenges and turning Europe's ambitions into reality," Nilsson added.

"Policymakers must seize their full potential and provide an enabling European policy and investment framework allowing them to innovate, scale up and grow," the Cogeca president commented.

Nilsson said: "Ultimately, stronger agri-cooperatives mean stronger farmers; more competitive and resilient agri-food value chains; more vibrant rural territories; and a Europe that creates opportunities, connects its people and brings its territories together."