"The aim of the consolidation is to improve the organization's capability to have a say in the building of a favorable business environment and stand up for equal competitive conditions for the stable development of Estonian agricultural producers, agricultural processing companies and forest and rural economy enterprises," Roomet Sõrmus, board chairman of the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, said in a press release.

"The long-awaited and long-prepared merger of the two biggest organizations in our field is finally taking place," said Vahur Tõnissoo, board chairman of the EPK. "Yet for a single organization of farmers to emerge, yet one more step but still be taken — the consolidation of farmers into a single organization representing them will allow for the creation of a considerable force in society for protecting the interests of farmers."

The general meetings of both organizations have now approved the merger; the consolidation is due to be finalized in the coming few months.

As a result of the merger, the nonprofit EPK will be dissolved and its assets and members transferred to the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce.

The Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce is the the country's biggest organization of rural economy, which brings together agricultural producers, agricultural processing companies, forest associations and other rural economy businesses.