Scottish farm business income: annual estimates 2021-2022

Farm business level estimates of average incomes for 2021-2022. A National Statistics publication for Scotland.


Farms that diversify business activity earn more money

Around 350 farms have been providing us with their data over the last five years. This allows us to see changes in their diversified activity that generates income. Diversified activities are non-agricultural activities that use farm resources.

Figure 10: Average farm incomes for farms with and without diversified activities, 201718 to 202122

A line chart shows the farm income for farms with and without diversified activities over a five year period.More than half of farms have diversified activities that generate additional incomes to their businesses. In 202122, 58% of farms had at least one diversified activity.

There is an income gap between those with diversified activities and those without. Farms with no diversified activity on average generated £24,200 less income in 202122.

The average revenue from diversified activities increased in 202122 to around £10,800, up 20% compared to the previous year.

The most common diversified activity continues to be renting out farm buildings (for purposes other than tourist accommodation). Other common profitable activities that farmers are doing include micro electricity generation, wind turbines and hosting mobile telephone masts.

Contact

Email: agric.stats@gov.scot

Back to top