According to data from the Spanish Agricultural Guarantee Fund (FEGA) for the 2025 fiscal year, the Valencian Community presents a concerning age structure among CAP beneficiaries. 48.07% of the 15,097 Valencian recipients are 65 years or older, while only 5.79% (1,819 people) are under 40 years old. This translates to a ratio of 8.3 recipients over 65 for every young person under 40.
The situation is even more alarming when considering the segment under 25 years old, where only 162 individuals receive direct aid, representing a mere 0.52% of the total. This aging surpasses the national average, where those aged 65 or older account for 39.56% and those under 40 represent 8.83%.
LA UNIÓ emphasizes that the problem is not so much that older farmers continue working, but rather the lack of sufficient entry of new generations to ensure generational succession. Furthermore, a 21.3% reduction in direct aid recipients has been recorded in the Valencian Community between 2022 and 2025, dropping from 39,899 to 31,405.
The organization recalls that Valencian agriculture is characterized by smaller, fragmented holdings with a significant weight of permanent crops and labor-intensive productions. Therefore, it calls for the future CAP to consider this Mediterranean reality and prioritize sector professionals, as a small aid amount does not always indicate an unprofessional operation.
Regarding the situation of women, they represent around 38% of recipients but account for less than 30% of the total amount. Among those under 40, only one in four is a woman, highlighting the need for policies to encourage the incorporation of young women into farming.
LA UNIÓ demands specific measures for young and new farmers, with sufficient budgetary allocation, support for installation, better access to financing, facilitation of land access, and effective succession policies. It also calls for measures for young women in terms of ownership, financing, training, and participation in decision-making bodies.
“"The data show that we cannot continue postponing generational succession. Having practically eight recipients over 65 for every young person under 40 is a very serious warning about the future of Valencian agriculture."
“"We need a CAP that rewards real agricultural activity, facilitates the entry of young people and women, reduces bureaucracy, and is adapted to the Mediterranean productive reality."
