Self-assessment of the business development of agricultural enterprises in Germany

The proportion of arable farmers expecting negative business development has fallen significantly since the last survey at the turn of 2023/24 - from 28% to 17%. This trend can also be observed among dairy farmers (previous year's survey: 26%) and pig farmers (previous year's survey: 20%).

Compared to the last survey, arable farmers, dairy farmers and pig farmers all have a more positive view of business development. The survey was conducted at a time when new government appointments were being made in Germany and the new Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture had already been appointed. These developments may have influenced expectations regarding new impetus from politics for farm development - and may have been linked to hopes of a reduction in bureaucracy.

The mood among dairy and pig farmers has brightened more than among arable farmers. In the case of dairy farmers, the fact that structural change has already been completed on many farms is likely to play a role. It is also noticeable that more livestock farmers (around 45%) expect business to develop well than arable farmers (35%). While the fall in market prices for market crops and concerns about crop losses due to drought are likely to play a role for arable farmers, pig prices have been rising since the spring and the milk price trend is also positive.

Agritechnica 2025 will certainly provide new impetus for business development through technical solutions for the challenges in arable farming: Under the guiding theme “Touch smart efficiency”, the trade fair will open its doors in Hanover from November 9 to 15.