The report depicts a continued productivity growth, albeit at a slower rate amidst challenges from climate change and availability and affordability of inputs, while EU agriculture transforms towards more sustainable production systems. Structural changes in the EU farming sector are expected to continue shaping the economic and environmental performance of the sector.

The outlook provides insights for stakeholders in the EU agri-food chain, serving as a baseline for designing policy responses to emerging challenges and opportunities, towards an attractive, competitive, resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. To address ongoing challenges, the Commission has proposed a simpler, more targeted, and forward-looking Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the post-2027 period.

Based on the report, EU agriculture is expected to maintain a high level of productivity until 2035 to support positive trade performance, particularly for high-value commodities. The EU agri-food exports remain an important contributor to the global food security. EU protein consumption is anticipated to stay slightly above current levels, reflecting increasing protein needs of an ageing EU population. Labour productivity remains the main driver of overall EU agricultural productivity, contributing to an increase in real income per agricultural worker. EU farms are expected to further reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen surpluses, indicating a gradual improvement in the sector’s environmental performance.