Economic Report on Scottish Agriculture, 2016

8.5 Farm Business Income

Chart 8.6 shows the estimated average Farm Business Income for 2013-14 and 2014-15 for UK nations. The highest average value for 2014-15 ( i.e. the 2014 crop year) was in England at £39,700, followed by Wales (£29,400) and Northern Ireland (£24,900). Scotland had the lowest average FBI value at £23,000.

While farm incomes in all countries fell in 2014-15, the decline in average income in Scotland was the steepest, with average incomes down by a quarter. Average incomes in Northern Ireland fell by 17 per cent, in England by nine per cent and remained largely unchanged in Wales (down one per cent).

It should be noted that while survey methodologies are harmonised across the UK, the coverage of surveys in each country differs. For example, in England the Farm Business Survey includes results from horticulture, pigs and poultry farms, which are excluded in Scotland. More information on UK surveys is available from the respective departments ^[15] .

Chart 8.6 Farm Business Income by UK country: 2013-14 and 2014-15