This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Farm incomes down in real terms
30/11/2004
A firmer focus on the market will help to make Scottish
farming more resilient it was said today as farm income
figures for 2004 were published.
Initial estimates show the industry broadly held its own
despite poor harvests and a stronger pound.
The cumulative income of £536 million represents an
increase of 0.2 per cent over the previous year. In real
terms a fall of around 2.4 per cent.
Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said:
"This was a tough year for Scottish farmers with many
fearing a considerable drop in incomes resulting from the
difficult weather conditions at harvest time, which
resulted in lost crops, and a stronger pound
"The figures published today show an industry
maintaining significant growth over the last five
years.
"Producing the outputs which the food chain wants is key
to our industry's prosperity and sustainability. Reformed
Common Agricultural Policy will allow farmers to respond
directly to market demands."
Revised Scottish farm income estimates giving more
detail based on more up-to-date information will be
published on January 27, 2005.
Total Income From Farming (TIFF) per full-time person
equivalent in Scotland is forecast to be almost
£18,500.
The overall TIFF estimate of £536m is above the long
term average for the current series (i.e. from1973
onwards).
TIFF in Scotland represents business profits plus income
to farmers, partners and directors and those with an
entrepreneurial interest in the business