The future of Portuguese agriculture depends not only on innovation and productivity, but above all on the people who will carry the sector in the coming decades. The recent study “Fifteen years of successful establishment of young farmers in Portugal” shows that Portugal has made significant progress in attracting a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs. Since 2007, more than 10.500 young farmers have started their businesses, representing over €1.5 bn in investments and the management of more than 252 thousand hectares of farmland.
Beeld: © CAP / CAP
A new generation with knowledge and entrepreneurship
This new generation brings knowledge, entrepreneurship, and innovation to a sector that has changed strongly in recent years. The average age of new farmers is just 33, and most have higher education or a technical-vocational background. Notably, almost one third started without any previous experience in agriculture, showing that the sector is increasingly attracting new talent from outside traditional farming families. At the same time, ageing remains a major challenge, as the average age of farmers continues to rise and the share of farm managers under 40 remains limited.
Structural barriers to sustainable growth
The study shows that the success of young farmers does not depend only on financial support. Access to land remains one of the main barriers, especially due to high land prices and limited availability for newcomers without family land. Farm size also plays an important role, as smaller farms are often more vulnerable and only reach greater stability and growth potential once they reach a certain scale. Access to finance is another key challenge, particularly in the early stage when investment needs, cash flow, and risk are difficult to balance.
Market access is also crucial. A large share of young farmers still sell directly to consumers, while many are not integrated into cooperatives or producer organisations. This limits economies of scale and bargaining power. In addition, the start-up phase is often financially fragile, meaning many farmers depend on additional income outside the farm.
The first years after starting are often marked by financial fragility, which highlights that sustainable establishment takes time and stable conditions.
Conditions for long-term success
Long-term success requires more than entry support alone. Access to land, sufficient scale, suitable financing, market integration, and support in the early years are all essential to build viable and resilient farms. Policy stability, simpler administration, and better alignment between support measures and growth strategies also play an important role.
More than an agricultural issue
Generational renewal is more than an agricultural issue. In a sector that contributes strongly to employment, exports, and economic value creation in Portugal, the entry of young farmers is essential for competitiveness, food security, and sustainable development. The message of the study is clear: the new generation is ready, but it needs the right conditions to succeed and grow in the long term.