Saxony's farmers warn: Rising costs are putting a strain on farms

Farmers in Saxony are expecting an average harvest this year, but continue to face difficult economic times. There were no major storms, and the spring rains improved soil moisture somewhat, said Torsten Krawczyk, president of the Saxon State Farmers’ Association, at the start of the harvest at the Doberschütz Agricultural Cooperative (North Saxony district).

Excessive production costs: Marketing fails to cover costs

However, Krawczyk emphasized that farmers are concerned about rising production costs, insufficient farm gate prices, and unpredictable agricultural policy. These factors are pushing Saxony’s farms to the brink of collapse, with direct consequences for food security and regional economic value creation. Marketing that covers costs is not a reality.

At the same time, a look back at the past year shows just how efficient our farms are, as Saxony’s Minister of Agriculture Georg-Ludwig von Breitenbuch noted. “With 2.2 billion euros in gross value added, they achieved their best result in 15 years in 2025,” explained the CDU politician. However, this buffer has largely been exhausted. 

According to the minister, this makes it all the more important that political decisions at the European and national levels strengthen—rather than weaken—the productivity of our agriculture. He promised farmers more support, reliability, and framework conditions that support their work.

Soybeans as Winners of Climate Change

As for the most important grain crop, winter wheat, it remains to be seen how it has withstood the varying weather conditions. “This is precisely where we need high quality to make ends meet to some extent,” said the farmers’ association president.

According to the association, one of the winners of climate change is the soybean, whose cultivation area in the Free State has increased by 40 percent compared to 2025, reaching 2,600 hectares. “This crop has a future,” Krawczyk emphasized. In contrast, the area planted with sugar beets and potatoes has decreased by more than 15 percent.