On 16 September 2025, the Publications Office of the European Union published a new report titled “The State of Digitalisation in EU Agriculture”. This study explores how digital transformation is reshaping the European farming sector and highlights both opportunities and challenges on the road to a more competitive, sustainable, and resilient agriculture.
The report analyses survey data collected from 1,444 farms across nine EU Member States (Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Lithuania, Hungary, and Poland) between June and October 2024. Its findings reveal that while general IT and software tools are widely adopted by European farmers, more specialised (and often costly) digital technologies for crop and livestock production remain less common.
Adoption rates tend to be higher among larger farms, those with good internet access, and those where farmers have received specialised training. The study identifies key drivers of digital uptake, including efficiency gains, cost savings, regulatory requirements, and improved quality of life. At the same time, barriers such as high investment costs and limited digital skills still slow down wider adoption.
Farmers generally expect digital tools to deliver positive economic, environmental, and social impacts. However, data collection at farm level still relies heavily on manual processes or basic tools, which adds to administrative burdens. The report also notes that many farmers are cautious about sharing farm data due to concerns over privacy, security, and loss of control.
The findings suggest that transparent data policies, ensuring farmers benefit directly from data sharing, and targeted policy support for advanced technologies will be key to strengthening trust and accelerating digitalisation in EU agriculture.
This report forms part of the EU’s broader efforts under the Digital Agenda and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to drive sustainable and competitive farming practices through innovation.