Portugal’s agriculture sector above EU average at 1.6%

The agricultural industry generated added value equivalent to 1.2% of the European Union’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a percentage slightly above the value calculated in 2009, reveals the 2025 report dedicated to the European food chain. With 8.4 million jobs, the sector’s weight in the region’s workforce has been declining, as more machines assist farmers and the number of farms decreases. In Portugal, the agricultural sector remained stable, with a weight of around 1.6% in GDP.

According to Eurostat, the ratio of agricultural industry value added to GDP was significantly higher in Greece (3.2%), Romania (2.5%) and Spain (2.3%), followed by Bulgaria, Italy and Croatia, with 1.8% of GDP. In Portugal, agriculture represents around 1.6% of GDP, a percentage in line with that recorded in 2009.

In 12 EU countries, the added value of the agricultural industry represented less than 1% of GDP, with the lowest ratios recorded in Luxembourg and Malta (both at 0.2%).

Between 2009 and 2024, the added value generated by the agricultural industry increased in 15 countries.

In terms of farms, Eurostat reports that there were 9.1 million farms in 2020, cultivating 38.4% of agricultural land in the EU.

In terms of employment, agriculture continues to be a sector unable to attract young people. More than half of the new farmers in 2020, who had started their businesses in the last three years, were over 40 years old. In Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain, more than 70% of new farmers were over 40.

Image: João on Unsplash; Source: Eco Online