Poland's farming sector grapples with soaring animal and crop production costs

Rising energy, feed and labour costs, together with stricter environmental and veterinary regulations, have driven up the cost of animal production across the European Union, including Poland. Higher electricity and diesel prices, the expanding EU emissions‑trading system and volatile grain and soy prices increase farmers’ operating expenses and pressure the profitability of livestock holdings.

A European study by the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture (EARA) found that regenerative farms can maintain yields while sharply cutting synthetic nitrogen and pesticide use. The research, covering 78 farms in 14 countries, showed only a 2 % reduction in caloric and protein yields but a 61 % cut in synthetic nitrogen and a 75 % cut in pesticide applications, resulting in a gross margin per hectare about 20 % higher than conventional farms. The findings highlight that lower input costs can offset modest yield losses, offering a viable economic alternative for farmers facing mounting production expenses.