Foodstuff production in the Czech Republic ranks among the traditional and key branches of the processing industry. It is continuously developing in close relation to local agricultural production and it provides a wide range of quality foodstuffs and drinks. It includes the production, processing and canning of meat and meat products, processing and canning of fish and fish products, processing and canning of fruit, vegetables and potatoes, production of vegetable and animal oils and fats, milk processing, production of milk products and ice cream, production of milled products and starch products, production of fodder, production of other food products and production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
The importance of the food sector is shown mainly in its strategic character of production represented by the generally demanded and required (considering consumption) wide range of foodstuff declared suitable for use from the point of view of health, these are used not just in the Czech Republic but also all around the world.
One of the conceptual targets is not only the increase in safety and quality of foodstuffs but also the strengthening of the competitiveness and effectiveness of food companies for future development in this area which plays a key role in the European Union. Products of organic farming and bio-foodstuffs are becoming more and more popular. This requires the continuation in the implementation of supporting programmes including market support, and a more coherent food and nutrition policy. The quest is not to perceive the foodstuffs as anonymous commodities where the decisive factor is their price but to ensure that consumers choose the foodstuffs according to their content, origin and quality.
The Czech Republic supports the projects promoting quality marks - the national mark under the title of “Klasa” and regional competitions aimed at food products. The aim is to preserve the traditional recipes and regional customs along with supporting small companies and rural development.
