Economic Report on Scottish Agriculture 2015

4.3 Other crops

4.3.1 Income from oilseed rape (Table A3)

Chart 4.7: Average annual output price for oilseed rape 2004 to 2014

The average output price for oilseed rape increased steadily between 2005 and 2012, from £126 per tonne to £370 per tonne. In both 2013 and 2014 the output price fell, in 2014 by £51 per tonne (down 18 per cent). However, with production increasing by 36,000 tonnes (32 per cent) the resulting change in value was a £3 million increase (up nine per cent).

4.3.2 Income from potatoes (Table A4)

Potatoes generally account for around six per cent of total farm output, with sales in 2014 being estimated at £170m.

Table A4 shows the components of the output valuation for potatoes. In 2014, main-crop ware potatoes accounted for an estimated 760,000 tonnes (66 per cent) of output, and seed potatoes 291,000 tonnes (25 per cent) – both these tonnages were relatively unchanged compared to 2013 with levels not yet returning to those seen in 2006 to 2011.

Chart 4.8: Average annual output prices for potatoes 2004 to 2014

The free-market price of ware potatoes was very high for the 2012 crop at £310 per tonne due to, and partially mitigating, the effect of poor yields. The price then decreased in 2013 and again in 2014 to £96 per tonne. It should be noted that since production is valued at the point it is used, the valuation for 2014 is partially based on the high prices received for the 2013 crop sold in the early part of 2014.

The price of seed potatoes has been more stable, with a general upward trend and only small year-to-year fluctuations, with a provisional price estimate of £260 per tonne in 2014.

In 2014, the overall output value of potatoes decreased by £105 million (38 per cent), with the low ware price being the main factor.

4.3.3 Income from vegetables (Table A4)

Vegetables generally account for around four per cent of total farm output, with sales in 2014 being estimated at £131m. The valuation of vegetables is comprised of many different crops. Table A4 shows information for the key crops.

Over the past ten years the output value of vegetables has increased by £68 million (111 per cent) to £131 million in 2013.

Chart 4.9: Average annual output prices for carrots and turnips & swedes, 2004 to 2014

Carrots were the most valuable vegetable crop in Scotland, with a value of £31 million in 2014, double the 2004 value of £15 million, with increased areas (up 55 per cent) and prices (up nine per cent) driving this longer term trend. Turnips and swedes were the second largest vegetable crop in 2014 in terms of production (65,000 tonnes) though not in value (£12 million, compared to sprouts at £15 million) following a general upward trend and only small year-to-year fluctuations.

4.3.4 Income from fruit (Table A4)

Fruit generally accounts for around three per cent of total farm output. Over the past ten years the output value of soft fruit has increased by £55 million (153 per cent) to an estimated £92 million in 2014.

Table A4 shows that in 2014, strawberries accounted for £68 million (74 per cent of the overall value of soft fruit) and raspberries £13 million (14 per cent).

Over the past decade the value of strawberries has increased by £43 million (175 per cent). This was mostly due to a 14,000 tonne (130 per cent) increase in production, along with an increase in average prices of £445 per tonne (20 per cent).

The value of raspberries increased by £3.9 million (44 per cent) over the same period, with estimated production now lower than in 2004 and considerably lower than in 2007 to 2009, but with prices 64 per cent higher, even after the large fall in price seen in 2014.

Chart 4.10: Average annual output prices for raspberries and strawberries 2004 to 2014