Europe’s food system is under growing strain from climate change, environmental pressures, and rising levels of diet-related disease. Although the EU has set ambitious goals for a greener, healthier, and more competitive and resilient agrifood system, progress remains slow. A new perspective published in Nature Food examines this gap between ambition and reality and identifies the structural barriers holding transformations back.
The study is the first output of a new European research alliance, bringing together researchers from, among others, Aarhus University in Denmark, Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands and the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE). Drawing on contributions from 34 researchers, it takes a system-wide perspective on the agrifood system, from production to consumption.
The researchers argue that the challenge is not only a lack of knowledge or willingness to change. Many actors across the food system, like farmers, policymakers, and consumers support reform. However, they operate within “lock-ins”: self-reinforcing systems of incentives, regulations, market structures, and habits that sustain the status quo.
Five key lock-ins are highlighted. First, fragmented policymaking leads to conflicting objectives across agriculture, health, environment, and trade. Second, dietary habits are difficult to shift, as cultural norms, prices, and availability often favor less sustainable food choices. Third, market structures emphasize efficiency, scale, and low costs, discouraging long-term investments in sustainability. Fourth, environmental costs such as emissions and biodiversity loss are not reflected in food prices, limiting the competitiveness of sustainable alternatives. Finally, increasing instability from climate change to geopolitical shocks exposes the fragility of a system optimized for efficiency rather than resilience.
Importantly, the authors propose five guiding principles for change in the agrifood system: prioritizing access to affordable, healthy and sustainable food; ensuring inclusive and engaging transformation processes; provide governance to strengthen transparency and accountability; leveraging Europe’s diversity in agrifood systems; and shifting mindsets towards prioritizing common goods.
The researchers emphasize that transformation will require more than technological solutions. Coordinated policy action, new incentives, and strong leadership are essential to unlock systemic change and move Europe’s food system forward.
