European agriculture faces competitiveness and succession challenges

European agriculture is facing significant challenges regarding competitiveness and the succession of farm owners. A report titled “The Resilience Gap: Innovating for European Agriculture,” based on analysis by Oxford Economics, highlights a growing resilience gap. Between 2011 and 2023, plant production in the European Union grew by an average of only 0.1 percent annually, significantly trailing Brazil, which saw growth of 3.3 percent, and other major producers like China, Canada, and India.

To address the shortage of young farmers, a proposal for the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2027 suggests that member states could provide up to 300,000 euros in support per young farmer. This amount is intended to be a cumulative total from various sources, such as investment support, financial instruments, and interest rate subsidies, rather than a single cash premium.

In Poland, specific rules and the exact amount of support remain undecided. While current premiums for young farmers are 200,000 PLN (approximately 300,000 PLN for animal production), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has not yet determined if these rates will be maintained or adjusted. Additionally, the requirement for agricultural education remains a point of discussion, as the new EU regulations will allow member states to decide whether such qualifications are mandatory.