How farmers see the future

Rural Confidence Survey

Conducted since 2003, the Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey is administered by independent research agency KANTAR, interviewing a panel of approximately 450 farmers each quarter. The survey provides valuable insights into farmers’ expectations for the 12 months ahead including their views on the performance of the broader agri economy and their own farm business operations.

VIEW LATEST RESULTS

Latest Survey Results: March Quarter 2026

  • Farmer confidence has dipped lower off the back of concerns over rising farm input costs.
  • Despite this, sentiment remains elevated overall and at net positive levels for the eighth consecutive quarter.
  • Among farmers holding a negative outlook on the agri economy, ‘rising input costs’ (74%) was cited as the major source of pessimism, while ‘rising commodity prices’ (55%) and ‘increasing demand’ (33%) were the most prominent reasons given by those with a positive outlook.
  • Farmers’ expectations of their own farm business performance over the next 12 months were also down from last quarter but remain strong.
  • Sheep and beef farmers continue to be the most optimistic about the prospects for their own farm businesses, while horticulturalists are the most pessimistic.
  • Farmer investment intentions were marginally lower than last quarter but remain robust with around one third of farmers looking to increase investment in the year ahead.
  • Land price expectations continue to be positive, with a third of farmers expecting prices to increase over the coming 12 months, and less than one in ten expecting land prices to fall.