The traditional activity of the Markets and Common Agricultural Policy section consists in  the analysis of the EU grain markets and the preparation of the cereals, and oilseeds crop forecasts. The section also analyses the world market for cereals and examines EU import and export policy and legislation and follows the multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations. Opinions are preapred on the reform proposals of the common agricultural policy and their impact evaluated.

COCERAL formed the Food and Feed Safety and Environment section to prepare and to have specific expertise to meet the growing demands of DG SANCO's continuous flow of legislation in these areas.  The section is particularly active on the GMO dossiers, the General traceability regulation, hygiene packages, official controls for food and feed, pesticide residues as well as contaminants and undesirable substances.

The reform of the market organisation has been a major issue for the Rice Section in the past years. Its impact on the import regime and the effects of multilateral and bilateral agreements such as  the "Everything But Arms" agreement are also largely analysed.

The work of the Olive Oil Section concentrates on  the common organisation of the market in olive oil and table olives, the quality strategy and food safety related issues.  Further, section members follow-up closely the work of the International Olive Oil Council. Other aspects such as  traceability, commercial rules (organoleptic characteristics), promotion, consequences for the sector of the EU enlargements and last but not least, the image of olive oil are also important.

In addition to the traditional exchange of information on prices and market structures for fertilisers and plant protection products the Agrosupply Section mainly examines regulatory matters, for example the thematic strategy for a sustainable use of pesticides, maximum limits for pesticide residues, cross-compliance, cadmium content in phosphate fertilisers.