The value of agricultural output in the EU increased by 8% in 2021

In 2021, agricultural output in the EU was estimated at EUR 449.5 billion at basic prices, representing an increase of 8% compared with 2020. This change results from an increase in the prices of agricultural goods and services overall (approximately +7.5%), while the volume of output remained little changed compared with 2020 (approximately +0.8%).

The information is based on the Economic Accounts for Agriculture (EAA) for 2021, published by Eurostat on 11 November 2022. Eurostat will also publish the first estimates of the EAA for 2022 on 19 December 2022.

Almost three quarters of the value of the EU’s agricultural output in 2021 comes from seven Member States: France (EUR 82.4 billion, equivalent to 18% of the EU total), Italy (EUR 61.2 billion, or 14%), Germany (EUR 59.2 billion, or 13%), Spain (EUR 57.1 billion, or 13%), the Netherlands (EUR 30.6 billion, or 7%), Poland (EUR 27.9 billion, or 6%) and Romania (EUR 21.1 billion, or 5%).

The majority of EU Member States recorded an increase in the value of agricultural output in 2021 compared with 2020. The sharpest growth rates were registered in Bulgaria (+37%), Romania (+25%) and Czechia (+16%).

At the same time, the values of agricultural output in Finland, Malta and Cyprus remained broadly unchanged in 2021 compared with their respective levels in 2020, while in some countries they even followed a downward trend: Denmark (-2%) and Slovenia (-4%).

Among the other key Member States, the value of agricultural output increased by 10% in Spain, 8% in France and the Netherlands, 6% in Italy and Poland, and 3% in Germany.

Slightly more than half (55%) of the value of the EU’s agricultural output in 2021 comes from crop production (EUR 248.7 billion, +13% compared with 2020), followed by one third (36%) from animals and animal products (EUR 163.1 billion, +3% compared with 2020). The remaining share comes from agricultural services and secondary activities.

Expenditure on agricultural inputs in the EU not related to investment (intermediate consumption) was 10% higher in 2021 than in 2020.

The changes in the value of agricultural output and intermediate consumption in 2021 led to an increase of 6% in the gross value added generated by agriculture.

Notes

The value of agricultural output includes the value of crop production, animal production and “other”, i.e. agricultural services (for example, processing of agricultural products or contract agricultural work) and the inseparable share of secondary non-agricultural activities (for example, certain agrotourism activities).

Values at basic prices are values at producer prices from which taxes on products are deducted and subsidies on them are added.

Unless otherwise stated, all values are calculated using current prices and exchange rates.

Source: Eurostat