Insee Première · June 2025 · n° 2057

The agricultural account since 1980: decline in livestock production, greater use of capital and agricultural services

Since 1980, agricultural output had been driven more by crop production and agricultural services than by livestock production. Between 1980‑1984 and 2020‑2024, the volume of crop production rose by 36.0%, while that of agricultural services, which was initially low, jumped by 92.7%. By contrast, the volume of animal products fell by 2.8%, with the decline in cattle farming outweighing the increase in poultry and pork products.
The production model was transformed by the increased use of capital. The investment rate rose from 21.6% in 1980‑1984 to 30.4% in 2020‑2024. At the same time, agricultural employment fell by 63.8%. Changes in production and the use of capital modified the structure of intermediate consumption. As a result of the decline in livestock numbers, the share of animal feed dropped. The purchase of agricultural services as well as the expenditure on equipment maintenance increased.
Productivity indicators per worker rose sharply overall. However, despite the fall in employment, gross value added per worker in real terms remained stable for long periods, due to a lower rise in agricultural prices, compared to the prices of all goods and services produced in France. After 2010, the recovery in agricultural prices made it possible for this indicator to rise sharply, but the volatility of prices between 2020 and 2024 had a brutal impact.