Challenges ranging from volatile markets, high input costs and the Russian ban on agricultural exports to sluggish Chinese demand, have put a great deal of pressure on the income of EU farmers.
According to Eurostat, the 2008-2009 crisis severely hurt EU agricultural income. But in 2010, it recovered and continued to grow in 2011.
In 2015, agricultural income was 33.6% higher compared to 2005. Earnings rose on average by 4% annually over the period 2005-2010, while between 2010-2015, the rate of change for agricultural income slowed, rising on average by 1.9 % per annum.
Initially published on Euractiv.com.