What the study found
The study found that assets tied to animal-sourced food in the EU27 + UK make up 78% of fixed agricultural assets. It estimates that reducing animal-sourced food consumption could strand a large share of these assets.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say that policy- and climate-induced stranding risks are intertwined and should be included together in financial modelling as overlapping transition pressures. They also conclude that integrated policy support is essential to help repurpose or phase out animal-sourced food-related assets and avoid delays in sustainable food system transformations.
What the researchers tested
The researchers linked agricultural and economic data with global multi-regional input-output models. They examined fixed agricultural assets in the EU27 + UK and modeled how different levels of animal-sourced food consumption reduction would affect asset stranding.
What worked and what didn't
The study estimated that €158 billion in assets are linked to livestock and €100 billion to feed production. It projected that consumption reductions of 9.5%, 60%, and 100% could strand 18%, 50%, and 77% of these assets, respectively. The authors also state that current depreciation rates suggest there is generally sufficient time to phase out assets, which could help limit stranding.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not provide detailed limitations beyond the scope of the modeled EU27 + UK food system. The findings are based on estimates from linked data and modeling, so the reported stranding amounts are projections rather than direct observations.
Key points
- Animal-sourced food-related assets account for 78% of fixed agricultural assets in the EU27 + UK.
- The study estimates €158 billion is linked to livestock and €100 billion to feed production.
- A 9.5% reduction in animal-sourced food consumption could strand 18% of these assets.
- A 60% reduction could strand 50% of these assets, and a full reduction could strand 77%.
- The authors say policy- and climate-induced stranding risks should be modeled together.
- Current depreciation rates are described as leaving generally sufficient time to phase out assets.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- EU agricultural assets face stranding under food shifts
- Authors:
- Anniek Kortleve, José M. Mogollón, Helen Harwatt, Martin Brückner, Baoxiao Liu, Paul Behrens
- Institutions:
- Chatham House, Leiden University, Leiden University, Leiden University, Leiden University, Oxford BioMedica (United Kingdom), Science Oxford, University of Oxford, Vienna University of Economics and Business
- Publication date:
- 2026-01-19
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Photo by wal_172619 on Pixabay · Pixabay License
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