German Farming in Germany has recorded a significant decline in profits in the recent 2023/24 fiscal year. The overall results have significantly worsened, the German Farmers’ Association (DBV) reported on Thursday.
The average result of the main crop farms, according to the DBV, was 77,500 euros per farm. The results were thus about 30% lower than the previous year’s level. With the exception of processing companies, a decline in results was observed in almost all business forms.
Farmers’ President Joachim Rukwied lamented the “very challenging” economic and agricultural policy situation: “The farm results have clearly broken down. The strong decline in prices for important plant and animal products is particularly affecting farmers.” At the same time, high fixed costs were posing great challenges for the farms, Rukwied said.
“Important future investments are still being put on hold.” The structural change in animal husbandry is continuing almost unabated, despite an improved economic situation in the processing companies, Rukwied said. “This weakens our rural areas, leads to the loss of jobs and value creation” the farmer said.
The farmers’ president therefore demands a “restart” in agricultural policy: “Bad policy must no longer threaten the future viability of our profession. With rising market and climate risks, we need real relief and investment impulses.” Thus, animal husbandry in Germany has a future, but it requires a significant reduction in regulations and planning security.