STRUCTURAL CHANGES AND EMERGING TRENDS IN EUROPEAN FARMS: AN ANALYSIS OF FARM SIZE DYNAMICS UNDER THE COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY

Abstract

In recent years, European farms have undergone a significant process of
transformation, influenced by economic and technological changes, as well as by the regulations of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). One of the main trends observed is the decline in the total number of farms, accompanied by an increase in the average size of agricultural holdings. This phenomenon reflects a process of land concentration and production modernization, in which small, often family-run farms face growing competitiveness challenges. At the same time, there has been a diversification of agricultural activities, through the development of organic farming, agrotourism, and sustainable local production. The introduction of digital technologies and precision agriculture contributes to resource optimization and improved economic efficiency, supporting the transition toward a smarter and greener agricultural model. Moreover, younger generations are increasingly involved in modern farms oriented toward innovation and environmental protection. Overall, the evolution of European farms demonstrates a continuous adaptation to new market and environmental requirements, in line with the CAP’s objectives of sustainability, resilience, and long-term food security. In the present paper, the authors began their scientific approach by analyzing the total agricultural area used, followed by an examination of the distribution of farms by size class and the changes over time, as well as farm specialization, in order to capture the evolution of farm size within the European Union.