OECD, 13 May 2026

 

PARIS, 22 June. - (ANA) - Agriculture is under increasing pressure to deliver more with fewer resources.

 

New OECD data show that in many countries, production is rising even as the use of key inputs such as land and fertilisers declines. But are these efficiency gains translating into better environmental performance?

 

Between 1990 and 2023, total agricultural production in OECD countries increased by 33%, while agricultural land area decreased by almost 11%. This signals a decoupling of environmental performance from agricultural production. However, progress has been uneven across indicators.

 

The 2026 OECD Agri-Environmental Indicators (AEIs) present key trends in the environmental performance of agriculture across OECD Member countries over the period 1990–2023.

 

Overall, observed trends continue to be consistent with increasing efficiency of production, with decreasing input use and pollution per unit of agricultural output produced. However, progress continues to be uneven across indicators. Trends in input use show noticeable decreases in fertilizer consumption and an increase in on-farm energy consumption. The observed decreases in fertilizer consumption, in particular, contributed to the decreases observed in both the median and maximum nitrogen surplus per hectare since 2021.

 

Progress has also been uneven across countries. For instance, whilst agricultural ammonia emissions decreased in 24 OECD countries over the 2013-2023 period, it increased in 10 countries covered by the database.

 

To download the full report, visit: https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2026/05/environmental-performance-of-agriculture-in-oecd-countries-2026_20a1b508/5bbd8f58-en.pdf

 

AB/ANA/22 June 2026 - - -