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10 years on: What has changed for farming since the Brexit vote?
June 23, 2026 marks a significant milestone for British agriculture, ten years since the UK voted to leave the European Union.
A decade on, the farming industry looks very different. From changing support schemes and shifting trade relationships to evolving production trends and new opportunities in agricultural innovation, Brexit has left a lasting mark on UK farming.
While the impact of leaving the EU has often been debated, understanding exactly what has changed is complex. Global events including the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, rising energy costs, labour shortages, extreme weather and geopolitical uncertainty have all influenced the sector over the past ten years.
So, what has changed for British agriculture since the referendum in 2016?
Changing production trends
One of the most noticeable shifts has been in crop production. According to Defra figures, UK wheat production fell by almost 17% between 2016 and 2025, while barley production declined by more than 4%. Oilseed rape has seen one of the sharpest reductions, with production halving over the decade. Fruit and vegetable production has also fallen, down 17.9% and 8.5% respectively.
Livestock production presents a more mixed picture. Milk production has increased by 8.6% and egg production has risen by more than 21%, both reaching record levels. Poultry meat output is up 13% and pork production has increased by almost 8%.
However, beef and sheep production have experienced modest declines, with beef production down 1.6% and sheep meat production falling by 7.2%.
Prices rise but so do costs
The past decade has seen significant increases in agricultural commodity prices. Defra's farmgate price index shows the average price of farm-produced goods increased by almost 60% between 2016 and 2026, compared with a rise of 38% in the previous decade.
Cattle prices have more than doubled, while sheep prices have risen by nearly 95%. Milk prices increased by more than 75%, while cereal and pig prices climbed by over 50%.
Yet rising prices have been accompanied by escalating production costs. Fertiliser, feed, fuel and energy costs all surged following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, placing additional pressure on farm profitability. For many businesses, higher output prices have been offset by increased input costs, creating a challenging financial environment despite stronger market returns.
Trade patterns evolve
One of the central arguments surrounding Brexit focused on trade. While UK food and agricultural exports have increased in value since 2015, imports have grown at a much faster rate. HMRC figures show food and agricultural exports rose from £19.1 billion in 2015 to £26.9 billion in 2025, an increase of more than 40%.
However, imports increased by more than 71% over the same period, reaching £71.7 billion and resulting in a food trade deficit of almost £45 billion. The EU remains the UK's most important trading partner for food and agricultural products. While the proportion of exports destined for EU markets has fallen slightly, more than half of UK food exports still go to EU countries.
Some sectors have performed strongly. Dairy and egg exports have almost doubled, while meat exports have increased by around 70%. Others have struggled. The value of cereal and oilseed exports has nearly halved, while some sectors continue to face barriers accessing European markets.
The end of direct payments
Perhaps the most significant structural change has been the move away from the Basic Payment Scheme. In 2016, the average UK farm received around £28,000 in direct support payments. Since then, support systems have diverged across the UK.
In England, direct payments have been progressively reduced and are due to end completely after 2027. New environmental and productivity-focused schemes have replaced income support, requiring farmers to adapt their business models. Scotland and Wales have maintained support structures more closely aligned with previous EU systems, although reforms continue to evolve.
For many businesses, particularly those operating on tight margins, the removal of direct payments has accelerated the need to improve efficiency, diversify income streams and invest in productivity.
Farm businesses under pressure
The number of UK farm holdings has declined over the past decade, with Defra estimating a reduction of more than 9,000 holdings between 2016 and 2025. Employment has also fallen, with the number of people working on English farms decreasing by more than 8%.
Labour availability remains a major challenge, particularly in sectors that traditionally relied on seasonal or migrant workers. At the same time, farmers have had to adapt to changing environmental regulations, evolving support schemes and increased expectations around sustainability.
Has Brexit delivered for farming?
The answer depends largely on which part of the industry is being considered. According to Richard King, Partner and Head of Business Research at Andersons, the biggest long-term impact may ultimately come from changes to farm support rather than trade itself.
While some sectors have benefited from stronger commodity prices and greater flexibility around policy development, others have faced significant disruption.
Brexit has also opened discussions around opportunities in areas such as gene editing, agricultural technology and future crop protection approvals. However, the extent to which those opportunities are realised will depend on future policy decisions and trade agreements.
Looking ahead
Ten years after the referendum, UK agriculture continues to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. The challenges facing the sector today extend far beyond Brexit alone. Food security, climate resilience, labour availability, profitability and technological innovation are now central themes shaping the future of farming.
What is clear is that British agriculture remains resilient. Farmers continue to embrace new technologies, invest in productivity and seek opportunities to strengthen their businesses despite ongoing uncertainty.
As the industry looks towards the next decade, events such as LAMMA play an increasingly important role in helping farmers navigate change, providing access to the latest machinery, technology and practical solutions needed to build resilient and profitable farming businesses for the future.
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