Scottish farm business income: annual estimates 2017-2018

Introduction

Farm business income has on average gone up since the previous year. The average income has risen by 19 per cent to £35,400.

However estimates show that farms supported by subsidies on average made a loss of £7,400.

The number of farmers that are able to pay themselves a minimum agricultural wage has increased to 60 per cent.

Farms that engage in diversified activities continue to perform better than those that don’t by around £19,600 per annum.

Sheep farms in less favourable areas (LFA) continue to rely on subsidies the most. Dairy farms have the highest income and are less reliant on support.

This analysis is based on the latest published statistics for the period 2017-18.

All financial figures quoted in this report relate to changes in real terms. This means cash values have been adjusted to take into account inflation.

Agricultural businesses which do not receive subsidies are not represented in this survey. This includes pigs, poultry and horticulture.