Short-term outlook of EU agricultural markets: Gradual but fragile return to stability

The general macroeconomic and food price environment points to possible improvements in demand for agri-food products in most sectors. Nonetheless, the outlook remains subject to a high degree of uncertainty, linked to weather events, geopolitical conflicts and animal and plant diseases. Published by the European Commission, the autumn 2024 edition of the short-term outlook report for EU agricultural markets presents the latest trends and prospects for key agricultural markets. According to the report published, agricultural markets are showing signs of stabilisation. Food inflation has been declining, and food prices have remained relatively stable over the last months for most products, though they are on average 32% higher compared to 2020. An increase in demand for agri-food products could be supported by the expected EU GDP growth and steady moderate inflation. The EU fertiliser market is also gradually stabilising, with trade flows returning to normal and domestic production ...