In 2023, agricultural production in the European Union experienced a slight decrease, reaching a value of 537.1 billion euros compared to the 545.4 billion euros recorded in 2022. This 1.5% drop marks the end of an upward trend that had been ongoing since 2010. According to Eurostat, this decline can be attributed to a 2.3% reduction in production volume, partially offset by a small 0.8% increase in agricultural goods and services prices.
Despite this overall negative outlook, some EU countries managed to increase their production. Hungary stood out with a 26% growth, followed by Slovakia with a 12% increase in agricultural production. In contrast, Greece reported the most drastic decrease at 16%, while Estonia, Latvia, and Spain experienced declines of 9% and Sweden of 8%.
The crop sector, representing 51% of the EU’s agricultural production value, recorded revenues of 273.6 billion euros, a 6% decrease compared to the previous year. On the other hand, animal production and its derivatives, accounting for 40% of the total value, increased by 2% compared to 2022, reaching 214.3 billion euros. The rest of the agricultural value comes from services and secondary activities.
Intermediate consumption, meaning the costs of agricultural inputs not related to investment, decreased by 3% compared to the previous year. These variations resulted in a slight 0.5% increase in the gross value added of the region’s agricultural sector.
This analysis demonstrates the variety of challenges and opportunities within the European agricultural sector. While some countries have made significant progress, others face considerable obstacles. Crops and animal-derived products remain fundamental to the EU’s agricultural economy, although internal dynamics are constantly changing due to various economic and environmental factors.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
