The second edition of Expo AgriTech in Malaga brought together 8,149 professionals and 412 speakers to assess where the global agricultural sector is heading next. Across three days of debate, demonstrations and strategy sessions, ten key trends emerged – from carbon monetisation to automation, soil health, water innovation and new business models.
1. Carbon credits shift from theory to revenue stream
Only a small fraction of Europe’s 9-10 million farms currently earn income from carbon credits, but the market is now visibly taking off, delegates heard. Farmers are receiving €40-€90 per hectare for verified carbon sequestration, an increasingly meaningful boost to profitability.
The challenge now is robust, scalable carbon measurement. Major food companies are also starting to pay a premium for raw materials where increases in soil carbon can be demonstrated, potentially pushing carbon markets further into the mainstream.
2. Legacy problems are a critical weak point
With the average EU farmer now 57, the industry faces a persistent succession crisis. Barriers to land access, capital and production resources continue to deter young entrants.
Regions showcased new solutions. Murcia’s land bank hopes to increase availability of farmland. The Community of Madrid is proposing public tenders for the exploitation of public land. Agroinfluencers are also raising the profile of rural entrepreneurship and making farming careers more visible.
3. Regulation and global competition tighten the squeeze
Macroeconomic pressures will again shape agriculture in 2026. Farmers face growing EU regulatory demands, volatile export markets, and intensifying competition from low-cost producer countries.
The sector also expects significant changes from the new Common Agricultural Policy, including reduced direct payments, while the long‑discussed EU–Mercosur deal edges closer to ratification, heightening concerns around market access and competitiveness.
4. Data spaces are emerging as the sector’s next digital infrastructure
Data spaces – or shared digital environments for collecting, storing and exchanging agricultural data – are set to play a defining role in the next wave of sector digitalisation.
The main barrier is farmer trust and willingness to share data. Andalusia’s plans for an Agri-Food Data Space Demonstration Center drew attention at Expo AgriTech, positioning the region as a leader in data‑driven ag innovation.
5. Cybersecurity joins robotics and automation as a top priority
Beyond AI, blockchain and VR, cybersecurity took centre stage as experts warned of rising cyber-attacks on farms and agribusinesses. Awareness and protection tools remain limited.
Meanwhile, automation continues to scale rapidly. The International Federation of Robotics expects 19,500 agricultural robot sales in 2024, cementing agriculture’s position among the top five robot‑using industries. Calls grew for more flexible EU regulations on autonomous machinery to accelerate deployment.
6. Soil health to become non‑negotiable?
As regenerative agriculture expands, soil quality is increasingly viewed as a business-critical asset. Technologies gaining momentum include: nanotechnologies and nanobubbles; microbial solutions to reduce dependence on conventional agrochemicals; and pyrolysis, which produces biochar to improve drought resilience, increase water retention and add stable carbon to soils.
Experts emphasised that long-term soil investment remains essential despite financial risks.
7. Water scarcity drives innovation in irrigation efficiency
With water stress worsening, solutions showcased at the fair targeted greater efficiency. Highlights included hydro infiltration systems enabling rainwater to reach crop roots more effectively; virtual weather stations; and smart irrigation management tools improving decision-making and resource use.
Water optimisation will remain a top operational priority for farmers in 2026.
8. Farmers are adopting new business models to reduce intermediation
Farmers are increasingly turning to direct‑to‑consumer models, supported by online marketplaces that can deliver fairer prices and higher margins.
Other innovations include retailer-led payment schemes, developed in partnership with banks and certifiers, which reward farmers for measurable improvements in sustainability and quality.
9. Circular economy solutions to gain ground
Digital tools and biotechnology are accelerating the shift toward circularity. One example showcased at Expo AgriTech was Biosasun, which transforms olive grove by‑products into raw materials for the cosmetics, probiotic and prebiotic industries, helping to unlock new value streams from waste.
10. Cooperatives need support
Cooperatives are increasingly adopting technology to boost competitiveness and sustainability, often working closely with research and technology centres. Projects on show included monitoring sensors for real-time crop data, and drone-based yield and crop prediction models. But speakers stressed the need for greater public–private collaboration and more digital training to overcome cultural resistance and accelerate adoption at scale.
