In order to sell food products on domestic market, the product has to comply with the terms prescribed by the Food Act, Public Health Act, Consumer Protection Act, Packaging Act, General Hygiene Rules and some regulations of the Minister of Agriculture. Tallinn Dairy Plant and Liviko have implemented this system, other producers are currently working on it. The Association of Estonian Food Industry is an umbrella organisation uniting professional associations and companies involved in food processing. The Food Association also organises the annual competition for the best Estonian food product. Food processing industry has suffered fallbacks on exports to eastern markets.
Factors affecting food exports to Russia are double tariffs, economic and political instability.
The integration of Estonia in the European Union will eventually open the EU market. With Estonia s accession to WTO, trade with Russia is expected to increase. This would be main source for the increase of production, since considerable growth in the domestic market is not expected. Food processing industry may meet a shortage of local raw materials, resulting in an increase in production costs. Producers have to find alternative markets or increase the efficiency of the production process.