Moving towards a more resilient European food system

The European Union aims to reduce its reliance on food imports. The pandemic, climate-related crop failures, and the war in Ukraine have exposed the vulnerability of the current food supply system. Europe remains dependent on key inputs such as soy, fertilisers, and fossil fuels. These are vital for agriculture but often come from countries involved in geopolitical tensions.

Researchers from Wageningen Economic Research underline the need for stronger policy to secure long-term food supply. Without clear measures, dependency on imports will remain high. Climate change also increases this risk. Weather extremes are affecting yields both inside and outside the EU, impacting the availability and price of imported products and raw materials.

The EU must redefine its position in relation to global powers like the United States and China. Diverging interests among member states and limited trade policy coordination make it difficult to present a unified economic strategy.

Organic farming as part of the structural answer

Food autonomy goes beyond local production. It involves sustainable energy, consistent policy, and social change. Joost de Laat, director of the WUR Social Sciences Group, argues for a shared food vision for Europe: which countries produce what, and how?

He highlights the EU’s dependence on imported soy for livestock, fertilisers from Russia and Belarus, and fossil energy for agriculture. Reducing these dependencies is crucial. Transitioning from animal to plant-based proteins and investing in renewable energy can help.

Organic farming plays a role in this shift. According to Bioforum, the Flemish sector body for organic agriculture, organic systems can support food autonomy while also improving biodiversity, water and air quality, soil health and animal welfare.

By avoiding chemical fertilisers and pesticides, organic farming depends less on external inputs. In dry regions, yields can be up to 116% higher than conventional farming. In temperate zones, organic yields are currently still 20–25% lower, but this gap is narrowing as soil quality improves and systems become more stable over time.

A systemic approach that combines policy, production, and consumption is needed to strengthen Europe's food autonomy.

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