- Advances in Agriculture
Consumers see farmers as essential to Europe’s food future
Consumers value farmers, recognize their pressures, and see food production as important to national security. Many support innovation in farming when it is backed by scientific evidence and delivers clear benefits for farmers, food supply, or affordability, finds a survey polling more than 8,000 European consumers across eight markets.
say they are more likely to vote for a party that backed farmers using new science and technology
say cutting bureaucracy and red tape would help make sure Europe can produce enough food
say farmers should have access to the latest technology and innovations
Europeans are aware of the strategic importance of agriculture. Across Europe, 84% of consumers agree that food security is a matter of national security. They also see farmer resilience, food affordability and food security as interconnected elements of the same challenge.
Support for innovation, guided by evidence
Consumers are open to new science and technology in farming, provided the approach is evidence-led and the benefits are clear. 82% said farming technologies should be allowed unless there is clear scientific evidence of harm.
Support is strongest when innovation is linked to practical outcomes: helping farmers remain in business, supporting food supply, improving affordability and enabling more targeted use of inputs.
The findings point to a shared expectation: farmers should receive recognition, practical support and access to innovation. Consumers see a strong connection between viable farms, resilient food supply and Europe’s ability to prepare for future disruption.
Extreme weather is already part of the picture
Europeans see extreme weather as a significant challenge for farmers. 91% said it is affecting farmers in their country at least a fair amount, including almost half who said it is affecting them a great deal.
Many respondents also connected extreme weather with crop losses, higher food prices and risks to domestic production. This reinforces the importance of helping farmers adapt to more volatile growing conditions.
Source: Research conducted by Kekst CNC polling 8,182 adults across the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Benelux, Romania, Poland and Germany; fieldwork conducted 18 August–4 September 2026. Results are weighted to be nationally representative. European-sample margin of error: ±1.1 percentage points. Within-market margin of error: ±3.2 percentage points.