The farmers\' crisis in Italy: economic and industrial repercussions

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Staff Cart-One 18/06/2026 0

The Italian agricultural sector is facing significant challenges in adopting ecological and economically sustainable practices, while grappling with farmer unrest, the urgency of the climate transition, and complex management at the European level. The Farmers' Crisis in Italy: Economic and Industrial Repercussions. Farmers' protests have spread across several European countries, from France to Italy, driven by reasons including the reduction of EU subsidies and the perception of excessive restrictions. Let's explore all the details in the rest of the article. Read also: “Suez Canal Crisis: The Agri-Food Sector Also Pays the Consequences”

What is Happening to Agriculture in Italy

Between 2005 and 2020, 5.3 million farms disappeared in Europe, nearly 600,000 of which were Italian. The pandemic, the war in Ukraine, inflation, and climate events have further complicated the situation, with a 25% increase in the prices of agricultural goods and services in 2022. Dissent in the agri-food sector stemmed from measures to make food production "greener," criticism of the European Union's restrictive agricultural policies, and rules requiring land to be left fallow to preserve biodiversity. In Italy, the Comitato Agricoltori Traditi (Betrayed Farmers Committee) led the protest against restrictive EU agricultural policies and the stance of traditional sector organizations. Farmers complain about declining incomes, taxes on inactive vehicles, and demand an urgent dialogue with Parliament.

An Unsustainable and Inadequate Agricultural Model

The #CambiamoAgricoltura Coalition (a coalition formed in 2017 to demand a CAP reform that protects all farmers, citizens, and the environment) also criticizes national and EU agricultural policies, arguing that they have created an unsustainable and unjust agricultural model. The interests of industrial supply chains have prevailed at the expense of agricultural workers, human and environmental health, and animal welfare. Farmers and consumers are considered the weakest links in the chain, while powerful industrial actors have increased their profits and political influence. Agricultural protests are directed at the European Green Deal due to its environmental implications and alleged negative consequences on the sustainability and prosperity of the agricultural sector. Indeed, the European Green Deal is blamed for causing the crisis in the primary sector. Derogations from environmental commitments, such as reducing pesticide use and nature conservation, compromise the goals of the "Farm to Fork" and "Biodiversity 2030" strategies. Climate change is identified as a serious threat to agriculture, with direct and indirect impacts on production, the environment, and food security. The Coalition further maintains that farmers' hardship is caused by multiple factors, including unfair distribution of aid, lack of support for changing the production model, and conflicts of interest in the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. It highlights the need for subsidies geared toward economic sustainability and the numerical growth of farms, encouraging the ecological transition.

Is the Consequence an Agroecological Transition?

The majority of farmers, oppressed by the dominant actors in the supply chain, express growing discomfort and distrust in the agri-food system. Agricultural protests, initially focused on environmental protection, are the result of multiple reasons, including structural problems within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Despite the agro-environmental rules introduced with little success, the unfair distribution of aid persists, rewarding large corporations at the expense of small ones. Agricultural corporations, by defending a payment system based on historical entitlements, favor large landowners over small and medium-sized farmers, leading to the closure of many businesses. The rhetoric of the farmer as the custodian of the environment has not helped in understanding the necessary evolution of agriculture's social and environmental role. Thus, the need for an agroecological transition is proposed, supported by public subsidies geared toward economic sustainability and the numerical growth of farms. Agroecological practices, as demonstrated by the 2023 agricultural year, can guarantee both environmental protection and farmers' income. The #CambiamoAgricoltura Coalition urges key stakeholders to avoid weakening CAP rules, pointing out that such actions will hinder the transition toward a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system. It also invites an open debate on the true causes of the economic crisis in the primary sector, pointing to an unfair agri-food system that favors large corporations over small producers and consumers.

Economic and Industrial Implications of the Agricultural Crisis

  • Unemployment: The agricultural crisis has a direct impact on employment in rural areas, where many families depend directly on the agricultural sector. The loss of jobs has significant consequences for the social and economic fabric of local communities;
  • Decline in National Production: This has knock-on implications for the domestic food supply, increasing reliance on imports and affecting the country's food self-sufficiency;
  • Reduction in Agricultural GDP: The agricultural crisis contributes to a decrease in the agricultural sector's contribution to Italy's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), negatively impacting the economy as a whole;
  • Impact on the Agri-Food Supply Chain: The farmers' crisis has significant consequences along the agri-food supply chain, involving producers, processors, and distributors. The fragility of the chain can undermine the security and diversity of the food supply.

The farmers' crisis in Italy is not just a challenge for the agricultural sector, but an issue that impacts the entire national economy. Addressing this crisis requires collaboration among government, industry, and local communities to implement sustainable solutions and promote the revival of a strong and resilient agricultural sector. Only through a joint commitment can we preserve the agricultural and industrial wealth that has characterized Italy for generations. See also: “Climate Change and Environmental Impact: Summer 2023 the Hottest in History”

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