Factors Influencing the Productivity of Direct Energy Inputs in EU Agriculture

Agriculture is a major energy consumer and a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. As the world’s population grows, increasing food production while reducing energy use presents a critical challenge. This study examined the trends in direct energy input productivity in agriculture across European Union (EU) countries from 2010 to 2021, focusing on the impact of structural factors, including production scale, mechanization, intensity, and output composition. The results showed a gradual decline in energy productivity, averaging a 1.04% annual decrease, reaching EUR 344,000 per terajoule (TJ) in 2021. Higher mechanization and production intensity improved energy productivity, while larger production scales and a greater share of animal farming had negative effects. Given the current trends of production expansion and extensification, further progress in energy productivity in agriculture appears limited. Policy measures should prioritize optimizing animal production’s share and adopting a sustainable use of renewable energy to lower the dependency on non-renewable fossil fuel sources. Future strategies must balance high agricultural output with sustainable energy consumption per food unit.