European Agricultural Competitiveness Falls Behind Rivals
Study Highlights Lagging Crop Production Growth in EU, UK
Seed World Staff
October 15, 2026
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A new study reveals that crop production growth in the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) has significantly lagged behind major agricultural markets, raising concerns about farmers' access to new technologies, climate resilience, and long-term competitiveness.
According to the report, commissioned by Bayer, combining economic analysis from Oxford Economics with consumer surveys and farmer interviews:
- EU crop output grew by an average of just 0.1% annually between 2011 and 2023.
- The UK recorded no growth during the same period.
- In contrast, major markets like the United States, Brazil, China, Canada, and India experienced substantial growth, ranging from 1% to 5% annually.
On a broader scale:
- EU output increased by only 2% over the past decade, compared to 16% in the United States, 44% in Canada, and 51% in Brazil.
These findings underscore concerns about Europe's ability to maintain agricultural competitiveness and food security while adapting to increasingly unpredictable growing conditions.
Climate Pressures and Productivity Challenges
Despite agriculture's significant economic contribution, climate-related pressures are posing substantial challenges. The study estimates that climate risks result in average annual losses of €17.4 billion, equivalent to 6.4% of EU crop production, currently. These losses are projected to increase to €24.8 billion to €28.9 billion by 2050.
Access to Innovation and New Technologies
The report emphasizes the importance of improved access to seed technologies, modern crop protection products, precision agriculture, automation, and artificial intelligence in strengthening European agricultural resilience. Farmers in competing markets often have broader access to new technologies or adopt them more rapidly than their European counterparts.
For plant breeders and seed companies, the study underscores the significance of regulatory systems that enable new varieties and traits to reach farmers while ensuring appropriate safety standards.