A new EU-wide Eurobarometer survey shows exceptionally strong public recognition of agriculture’s importance to Europe’s future, with citizens placing food security,

affordable food, farmers’ incomes and sustainable production high on the policy agenda.

The survey, conducted across all 27 EU member states in May and June 2026, found that 95% of Europeans regard agriculture and rural areas as important for Europe’s future. At the same time, 93% consider maintaining a stable food supply within the EU to be crucial.

The findings also indicate broad public support for the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), particularly its contribution to food security, consumer interests, environmental protection and the position of farmers within the food supply chain.

Strong backing for the Common Agricultural Policy

According to the survey, 70% of respondents believe the CAP benefits people across the EU. Its role in maintaining a reliable food supply receives particularly strong recognition, with 93% saying this is an important achievement.

A further 92% associate the CAP with ensuring reasonable food prices for consumers and managing natural resources sustainably, while 91% say the policy has an important role in strengthening farmers' position within the food chain.

Competitiveness also remains a significant concern. Around 85% of Europeans consider improving the competitiveness of EU agriculture to be an important objective of the CAP.

Environmental issues continue to feature prominently in public expectations. More than two-thirds of respondents believe the CAP is making progress in protecting the environment and addressing climate change.

The survey also highlights concerns surrounding the vulnerability of Europe's food system to climate-related disruption. Although most respondents believe food security has either improved or remained broadly stable over the past decade, more than nine in ten recognise that extreme weather events can threaten both food production and the reliability of food supplies.

Origin and quality increasingly shape food choices

The research provides new insight into the factors Europeans consider when purchasing food.

For the first time, the Eurobarometer asked respondents specifically about the importance of the food's EU origin. Almost 80% said that European origin is an important or very important consideration when buying food products.

Other characteristics also carry considerable weight. Nearly nine in ten respondents highlighted the importance of short supply chains, stronger environmental and animal-welfare standards, and recognised quality labels when making purchasing decisions.

Overall, food quality and provenance emerge as two of the strongest considerations for European consumers.

The European Commission intends to build on these findings through a new “European food” campaign, announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union address.

Public expectations extend beyond food production

The survey suggests that Europeans see agriculture as extending well beyond the production of food. Farmers' livelihoods, rural economies, environmental protection and the resilience of the food system are all viewed as interconnected priorities.

When asked about the future direction of EU agricultural and rural-development policy, respondents identified several key objectives.

The leading priorities include:

55% — ensuring reasonable food prices for consumers;

53% — securing a fair standard of living for farmers;

50% — maintaining a stable food supply within the EU;

47% — protecting the environment and tackling climate change;

46% — promoting sustainable food production;

45% — generating growth and employment in rural areas.

These results indicate that Europeans expect agricultural policy to balance several objectives simultaneously: keeping food affordable, ensuring viable farming incomes, maintaining supply security and supporting environmental sustainability.

Rural communities remain a central concern

The future of rural areas is another important element of public expectations. Nearly half of respondents identify economic growth and job creation in rural communities as a key priority.

The European Commission says these concerns are already reflected in its broader Vision for Food and Agriculture, which places emphasis on fair incomes for farmers, sustainable production and opportunities for younger generations in rural areas.

The Commission's proposal for the next CAP also seeks to provide greater predictability for farmers. Among the measures proposed is a dedicated minimum level of income support for farmers, protected within the planned National and Regional Partnership Fund.

Europeans broadly positive about agricultural trade

The survey also examined attitudes towards EU trade agreements involving agricultural and food products.

Respondents generally view such agreements positively, associating them with wider markets and more diversified sources of agricultural and food products. They also see international trade as an opportunity to expand European agri-food exports and encourage higher labour, environmental and animal-welfare standards in agricultural production outside the EU.

At the same time, European consumers continue to expect food imported into the EU to meet high standards.

Survey covers more than 26,000 Europeans

The latest study is the tenth Eurobarometer survey dedicated to Europeans, agriculture and the CAP. Interviews were conducted between May and June 2026 in all 27 EU member states.

A total of 26,456 people from different social and demographic groups participated, with interviews carried out in respondents' national languages.

The results provide the European institutions with a broad snapshot of public attitudes towards agriculture, food security, rural development and the CAP. They also offer an indication of the issues Europeans expect policymakers to address as the EU considers the future shape of agricultural policy.