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Foto Credits by iStock
European agriculture is facing a generational transition. To enable young people to take over and develop farms, reliable financing, knowledge and long-term prospects are needed – especially in capital-intensive fruit growing.
Average age of EU farmers: 57
33.2% over 65
6.5% under 35
This imbalance is even more striking among women: 42% are over 65 and 4.2% under 35.
(2020 figures, Eurostat)
Foto Credits by iStock
...therefore calls for the following measures to be included in the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2028–2034:
€30 billion for young farmers
This corresponds to 10 % of current direct payments.
Foto Credits by CEJA: CEJA’s conference on the Future of the CAP - Young Farmers’ Delegation (01/07/25)
Foto Credits by CEJA: Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen and CEJA President Peter Meedendorp at the Exchange of views on the Vision for the Future of Agriculture and priorities for the mandate ahead - 14/03/25
Perennial crops require high upfront investments and long-term planning.
CEJA argues for longer-term investment support and is critical of the fact that area-specific subsidy models do not adequately reflect capital-intensive farming like fruit growing.
Foto Credits by CEJA: CEJA Secretary General Marion Picot addressing the 2025 cohort of participants at the EU Young Farmers Leadership Programme
Some of CEJA’s demands are now included in official EU proposals for the CAP 2028–2034:
A decision in principle on the long-term EU budget is expected in 2026; the legal instruments should follow in 2027.
