The European Commission's transition pathway for the agri-food industrial ecosystem is a critical stage in the development of a competitive, sustainable, and resilient EU food system. The pathway, which was co-developed with Member States, industry associations, NGOs, and other stakeholders, employs a food systems approach to confront the challenges and opportunities in the food processing industry. The pathway establishes the groundwork for transformative change by fostering smart sustainability investments, promoting equitable returns across the value chain, supporting global competitiveness, and advancing circular business models. Enhanced collaboration between business support organisations, increased awareness of research and innovation (R&I) funding opportunities, and the adoption of the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices are among the proposed actions of the pathway. This deep dive examines the policy context in which this dialogue is being shaped and key stakeholder voices and opinions on the matters by exploring: i) which EU policy developments led by the European Commission around competitiveness may impact EFSA’s work and in what ways, ii) which other stakeholders or actors EFSA may need to monitor closely on the topic of competitiveness, and iii) how the role of science could evolve over time within the context of the EU Commission’s priorities for 2024-2029.