Factors Influencing the Productivity of Direct Energy Inputs in EU Agriculture

Ludwik Wicki (), Hanna Dudek, Andrzej Parzonko, Dariusz Kusz and Kaspars Naglis-Liepa
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Ludwik Wicki: Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Hanna Dudek: Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Andrzej Parzonko: Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Dariusz Kusz: Faculty of Management, Rzeszow University of Technology, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Kaspars Naglis-Liepa: Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Agriculture is a major energy consumer and a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. As the world’s population grows, increasing food production while reducing energy use presents a critical challenge. This study examined the trends in direct energy input productivity in agriculture across European Union (EU) countries from 2010 to 2021, focusing on the impact of structural factors, including production scale, mechanization, intensity, and output composition. The results showed a gradual decline in energy productivity, averaging a 1.04% annual decrease, reaching EUR 344,000 per terajoule (TJ) in 2021. Higher mechanization and production intensity improved energy productivity, while larger production scales and a greater share of animal farming had negative effects. Given the current trends of production expansion and extensification, further progress in energy productivity in agriculture appears limited. Policy measures should prioritize optimizing animal production’s share and adopting a sustainable use of renewable energy to lower the dependency on non-renewable fossil fuel sources. Future strategies must balance high agricultural output with sustainable energy consumption per food unit.

Keywords: energy productivity; sustainable energy use; agriculture; intensification; mechanization; scale of production (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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