| Description | Agriculture Facts and Figures |
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| ISBN | |
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| Official Print Publication Date | |
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| Website Publication Date | June 13, 2003 |
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Agriculture Facts and Figures
SEERAD 2003
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AGRICULTURE IN THE ECONOMY |
| SCOT | NI | W | E | UK | EU15 |
Agriculture as % of:Gross Value Addedat Basic Prices 2001 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 1.7 |
Total employed ('000) 2002
(1) | 2,404 | 712 | 1,314 | 24,469 | 28,900 | N/A |
No. in agriculture ('000) 2002
(2) | 68 | 54 | 56 | 372 | 550 | N/A |
(1)Source: Labour Force Survey
(2) Source: June Agricultural census 2002
SCALE OF BUSINESS 2002 |
| Scotland | UK | EU15
(1) |
Number of holdings of 5ha and over | 31,891 | 197,047 | 2,876,600 |
Number of holdings of less than 5ha | 18,253 | 85,104 | 3,899,500 |
Average size of holding (> 5ha) | 173.3 | 86.3 | 41.9 |
Arable land as % of agricultural land | 16.0 | 29.2 | 56.6 |
Gross value added (GVA) at basic prices ( million) | 851 | 7,117 | 88,680
(2) |
(1)EU15 data for 2000
(2) € = 0.6089
SCOTTISH AGRICULTURE IN 2002 |
| Non-LFA | LFA | Total |
Number of main and minor holdings | 15,945 | 34,199 | 50,144 |
Agricultural land: | hectares | hectares | hectares |
Wheat | 89,975 | 7,218 | 97,192 |
Total Barley | 243,705 | 81,444 | 325,148 |
Oats | 14,491 | 7,415 | 21,907 |
Oilseed Rape | 28,932 | 1,969 | 30,901 |
Potatoes | 27,774 | 2,430 | 30,204 |
Other crops | 19,704 | 27,159 | 46,863 |
Set-aside | 65,358 | 20,223 | 85,580 |
Fruit and vegetables | 11,075 | 823 | 11,898 |
Total Grass | 272,244 | 979,187 | 1,251,430 |
Rough grazing | 63,768 | 3,295,938 | 3,359,707 |
Other land | 55,965 | 218,756 | 274,721 |
Total agricultural land
(1) | 892,989 | 4,642,562 | 5,535,551 |
Livestock: | number | number | number |
Dairy cows | 64,586 | 134,813 | 199,399 |
Beef cows | 81,697 | 407,092 | 488,789 |
Total cattle and calves | 508,413 | 1,426,265 | 1,934,678 |
Ewes | 250,929 | 2,970,771 | 3,221,700 |
Total sheep and lambs | 708,657 | 7,354,530 | 8,063,187 |
Total Pigs | 443,176 | 83,100 | 526,276 |
Total Poultry | 13,239,975 | 2,304,160 | 15,544,135 |
(1)Excludes common grazing
IMPORTANCE OF THE LFA |
Main and Minor Holdings 2002 | Scotland | N Ireland | Wales | England | UK |
Total agricultural land area ('000 ha)
(1) | 5,536 | 1,067 | 1,452 | 9,099 | 17,154 |
Total Designated LFA (%) | 83 | 70 | 76 | 16 | 46 |
(1)Excludes common grazing
SECTOR SHARE OF OUTPUT 2002 (%) |
| Scot | NI | Wales | Eng | UK | EU15 |
Cereals | 13.3 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 16.6 | 14.1 | 12.8 |
Potatoes | 6.4 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 2.2 |
Oilseed Rape | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 9.0 | 6.9 | 11.0 |
Horticulture | 5.1 | 5.1 | 1.9 | 15.3 | 12.5 | 21.5 |
Total Crops | 26.5 | 9.6 | 4.3 | 43.7 | 36.5 | 54.4 |
Cattle | 26.3 | 32.5 | 19.3 | 8.3 | 13.1 | 10.1 |
Sheep | 10.2 | 5.2 | 23.9 | 3.0 | 5.4 | 2.3 |
Pigs | 3.2 | 5.1 | 2.3 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 8.5 |
Poultry | 4.8 | 10.1 | 6.5 | 8.3 | 7.9 | 4.0 |
Total Livestock | 47.4 | 53.0 | 57.8 | 24.8 | 31.9 | 26.1 |
Milk | 11.2 | 25.6 | 24.8 | 15.1 | 16.0 | 14.0 |
Eggs | 1.3 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 3.1 | 1.9 |
Total Livestock Products | 12.9 | 28.4 | 27.1 | 18.9 | 19.4 | 16.2 |
Other | 13.2 | 9.0 | 10.8 | 12.6 | 12.3 | 3.4 |
Gross Output(at basic prices) | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
Total Value ( Million) | 1,921.6 | 1,142.0 | 1,011.8 | 11,432.6 | 15,508.0 | 173,237
(1) |
(1)€= 0.6211
ARABLE SECTOR |
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
No. of Holdings with Wheat | 3,301 | 2,743 | 2,916 |
Ave Area for Wheat per Holding (ha) | 33.0 | 29.1 | 33.3 |
Wheat ('000 tonnes) | 957 | 617 | 739 |
No. of Holdings with Barley | 10,179 | 9,949 | 9,746 |
Ave Area for Barley per Holding (ha) | 31.1 | 33.9 | 33.4 |
Barley ('000 tonnes) | 1,766 | 1,916 | 1,691 |
No. of Holdings with Oats | 2,115 | 1,999 | 1,911 |
Ave Area for Oats per Holding (ha) | 10.5 | 10.8 | 11.5 |
Oats ('000 tonnes) | 116 | 115 | 105 |
No. of Holdings with Oilseeds | 1,704 | 1,530 | 1,418 |
Ave Area for Oilseeds per Holding (ha) | 21.4 | 22.8 | 21.8 |
Oilseeds ('000 tonnes) | 111 | 106 | 111 |
No. of Holdings with Potatoes | 4,325 | 4,163 | 4,059 |
Ave Area for Potatoes per Holding (ha) | 6.9 | 7.1 | 7.4 |
Potatoes ('000 tonnes) | 1,064 | 1,074 | 1,166 |
DAIRY SECTOR |
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
Dairy Cows ('000) | 207 | 196 | 199 |
No. of Holdings with Dairy Cows | 2,397 | 2,187 | 2,161 |
Average No. of Dairy Cows per Holding | 86 | 90 | 92 |
Milk Production (Million litres) | 1,169 | 1,199 | 1,238 |
BEEF SECTOR |
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
Beef Cows ('000) | 519 | 489 | 489 |
No. of Holdings with Beef Cows | 10,559 | 10,038 | 10,014 |
Average No. of Beef Cows per Holding | 49 | 49 | 49 |
Cattle Output ('000) | 588 | 488 | 514 |
Calves Output ('000) | 41 | 31 | 29 |
SHEEP SECTOR |
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
Breeding Ewes ('000) | 3,715 | 3,277 | 3,222 |
No. of Holdings with Breeding Ewes | 16,318 | 15,088 | 15,024 |
Average No. of Breeding Ewes per Holding | 228 | 217 | 214 |
Sheep Output ('000) | 4,402 | 3,875 | 3,570 |
FOOD SECTOR |
| 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | % of Scottish Manufacturing (2000) |
Employment (000's)
(1) | 57.7 | 57.3 | 57.9 | 57.9 | 19.1 |
Production ( Billion)
(1) (3) Total Turnover | 8.3 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 6.4 | 15.5 |
Gross Value Added (at basic prices) | 2.4 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 17.3 |
Exports ( Billion)
(2) |
Whisky | 2.4 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 10.2 |
Other food products and beverages | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.9 |
(1) Source: Scottish Production Database
(2) Source: Scottish Council Development and Industry
(3) Production figures include some Tobacco Production
Scottish Food and Drink GVA by sector for 2000

MAIN DIRECT PAYMENTS SCHEME |
Million | 1999 | 2000 | 2001(1) | 2002
(1) |
Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances | 61.8 | 61.5 | - | - |
Less-Favoured Area Support Scheme | - | - | 61.9 | 63.0 |
Extensification Scheme | - | 30.9 | 33.6 | 40.9 |
Suckler Cow Premium | 76.0 | 56.0 | 63.4 | 59.4 |
Beef Special Premium | 50.4 | 40.5 | 51.0 | 47.1 |
National Beef Envelope | - | 3.9 | 7.7 | 11.2 |
Calf Processing Scheme | 2.5 | - | - | - |
Slaughter Premium Scheme | - | 7.3 | 13.0 | 19.7 |
Over Thirty Months Scheme | 37.3 | 38.1 | 26.3 | 36.2 |
Dairy Agrimonetary Payments | - | 1.8 | 6.3 | - |
Sheep Annual Premium (Including LFA Supplement) | 75.8 | 65.5 | 41.5 | 62.0 |
National Sheep Envelope | - | - | - | 2.7 |
Lamb Disposal Scheme | - | - | 1.9 | - |
Arable Area Payments: |
Cereals (including Simplified Scheme) | 94.0 | 89.0 | 88.5 | 93.6 |
Oilseeds | 14.8 | 21.9 | 8.9 | 5.9 |
Set-Aside | 19.6 | 16.2 | 19.2 | 17.8 |
Others (Proteins, Linseed) | 4.2 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.7 |
Agri-Environment (Incl ESA's, CPS, FWS, FWPS) | 18.3 | 21.6 | 28.1 | 32.0 |
Others | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
TOTAL | 454.8 | 456.4 | 453.0 | 493.1 |
(1)Figures are net of modulation proceeds levied at a rate of 2.5% in 2001 and 3% in 2002
NET FARM INCOME AND DIRECT SUBSIDIES PER FARM BY TYPE OF FARMING(1) |
Farm Type | 2000/01 | 2001/02 | 2002/03 Forecast |
Net Farm Income
(/farm) | Direct Subsidies
(/farm) | Subsidies as % of Net Farm Income | Net Farm Income
(/farm) | Direct Subsidies(2) (/farm) | Subsidies as % of Net Farm Income | Net Farm Income
(/farm) | Direct Subsidies(2) (/farm) | Subsidies as % of Net Farm Income |
Cereals | 4,000 | 24,000 | 600 | -600 | 23,700 | N/A | -7,300 | 25,500 | N/A |
General Cropping | 5,100 | 33,700 | 660 | 7,800 | 32,900 | 410 | -2,600 | 35,400 | N/A |
Dairy | 13,900 | 9,700 | 70 | 33,100 | 11,400 | 30 | 41,600 | 12,800 | 30 |
L FA : Sheep | 2,900 | 23,000 | 800 | 1,200 | 18,500 | 1,500 | 10,100 | 24,000 | 240 |
L FA : Beef | 6,600 | 27,400 | 410 | 13,800 | 29,400 | 210 | 22,300 | 34,100 | 150 |
L FA : Mixed Cattle & Sheep | 6,000 | 32,500 | 540 | 10,300 | 32,000 | 310 | 20,300 | 38,600 | 190 |
Lowground Cattle & Sheep | 2,000 | 17,300 | 900 | 11,100 | 20,000 | 180 | 18,900 | 23,500 | 120 |
Mixed | 6,600 | 33,900 | 510 | 12,600 | 35,700 | 280 | 20,600 | 41,500 | 200 |
All | 6,100 | 26,600 | 440 | 10,400 | 26,700 | 260 | 14,000 | 30,800 | 220 |
(1)All NFI and Direct Subsidy figures are shown to the nearest hundred. Percentages are calculated from the unrounded figures and shown to the nearest 10%.
(2) Includes Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS).
AGGREGATE FARMING INCOME |
Current Prices | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
Total Income From Farming (TIFF) | 232 | 240 | 286 | 329 |
Total Direct Grants and Subsidies | 455 | 456 | 453 | 493 |

AVERAGE NET WORTH ('000) |
Ave Net Worth
(1) | 2001/2002 |
Status | Opening Valuation | Closing Valuation |
Owner-Occupied Farm | 471.1 | 483.9 |
Tenanted Farm | 101.8 | 105.9 |
Mixed Tenure Farm | 394.8 | 403.0 |
All Farms (Average) | 366.4 | 376.1 |
(1)Average Net Worth is Total Assets less Total Liabilities
TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS & INVESTMENT ( MILLION) |
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
Borrowing | 1,189 | 1,213 | 1,232 |
Investment | 180 | 156 | 182 |
Ratio of TIFF to Bank Interest | 2.4:1 | 3.1:1 | 3.9:1 |
HIRED REGULAR FULL-TIME WORKERS |
| 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
Ave Weekly Earnings () | 283.19 | 282.88 | 298.47 | 307.33 |
Ave Weekly Hours | 48.3 | 46.6 | 47.3 | 47.0 |
Agriculture Facts & Figures 2003 is prepared courtesy of the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.
This factcard provides summary indications concerning aggregate output, inputs, incomes and prices as well as results from the agricultural census and surveys.
As far as possible, past data have been presented on a consistent updated basis. Hence, some figures may differ from those included in previous publications.
In particular a number of tables derived from agricultural census data includes main and minor holdings.
Figures may not add due to rounding.
Further information can be derived from any of the following publications:
- Economic Report on Scottish Agriculture
- Farm Incomes in Scotland.
These are available along with other Scottish Executive publications from:
The Stationery Office Bookshop
71 Lothian Road
Edinburgh EH3 9AZ
Publications are also available on the Scottish Executive internet site:
www.scotland.gov.uk
Alternatively specific queries can be addressed to:
SEERAD - Economics and Statistics Division - 2
Mailpoint 1a
1st Floor
Pentland House
47 Robb's Loan
Edinburgh EH14 1TY.