Bavarian agriculture faces structural decline as farm numbers drop

The number of agricultural holdings in Bavaria decreased by approximately 2,600 between 2023 and 2025, representing an annual decline of 1.3%. According to the Bavarian Agricultural Report 2026, presented by Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber, the sector is undergoing significant structural change, with livestock farming facing particular pressure.

Despite the reduction in the number of farms, the economic outlook for primary producers remains positive. Full-time agricultural businesses in Bavaria reported an average profit of approximately 85,100 euros per company for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, a 13% increase compared to the previous year. This growth was driven largely by improved revenue situations for livestock farms.

Bavaria currently hosts around 98,000 agricultural businesses managing roughly 3.1 million hectares, accounting for nearly one-third of all farms in Germany. The region is characterized by smaller-scale operations, with an average farm size of 31.6 hectares—less than half the German national average—and approximately 64% of farms operating as part-time enterprises.