Chapter 2: Structure of industry
Updated 22 July 2024
Summary
Key results for 2023 compared to 2022:
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The Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) decreased by 2.3% and was 17 million hectares, covering 70% of land in the UK.
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The total croppable area saw little change and was 6.1 million hectares.
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The cereal crops area decreased by 2.7% and was 3.1 million hectares.
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The area of oilseed crops planted increased by 4.7% and was 418 thousand hectares.
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The total number of cattle and calves decreased by 0.8% and was 9.6 million animals. The beef herd decreased by 3.8% and was 1.4 million animals. The dairy herd decreased by 0.3% and was 1.8 million animals.
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The total number of pigs decreased by 10% and was 4.7 million animals. The total number of female pigs in the breeding herd decreased by 1.5% and was 338 thousand animals.
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The total number of sheep and lambs decreased by 4.1% and was 32 million animals.
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The total number of poultry decreased by 2.9% and was 178 million birds.
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The total labour force on commercial holdings decreased by 1.7% and was 462 thousand people.
Introduction
The tables and charts in this chapter show the size and structure of the agricultural industry in the United Kingdom at 1 June each year. They provide information on land use and livestock numbers, on the distribution of these between holdings and on the labour force.
Data in this chapter are sourced primarily from the June Surveys of Agriculture carried out in the four UK countries each year. There are some exceptions. In Scotland, most of the land use data are sourced from Single Application Form (SAF) subsidy data. In Northern Ireland, data for pig and poultry are extracted from the NI Annual Inventory of Pigs and Update of NI Bird Register respectively. Also, cattle data are sourced from the Cattle Tracing System (CTS) in England, Wales and Scotland and from the equivalent Animal and Public Health Administration System (APHIS) in Northern Ireland.
England data relate to commercial holdings only. Commercial holdings are defined as those with significant levels of farming activity, i.e. holdings with more than five hectares of agricultural land, one hectare of orchards, 0.5 hectares of vegetables or 0.1 hectares of protected crops, or more than 10 cows, 50 pigs, 20 sheep, 20 goats or 1,000 poultry.
For more information on the June Survey and for more detailed results, please see the pages for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Land use and crop areas
At June 2023 the Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) was 17 million hectares, covering 70% of the total UK land area. UAA is made up of arable and horticultural crops, uncropped arable land, common rough grazing, temporary and permanent grassland and land used for outdoor pigs. It does not include woodland and other non-agricultural land.
The total croppable area remained broadly unchanged between 2022 and 2023, however some categories within this total had greater changes than others (see Table 2.1).
Cereal crops accounted for the majority (68%) of the cropped area. Wheat and barley are the predominant cereal crops. In 2023, the area of wheat decreased by 5.1% and was 1.7 million hectares. The area of barley increased by 1.9% and was 1.1 million hectares. Plantings continued to follow a more typical pattern following disruption due to weather in recent years. However in 2023, wheat plantings have possibly reduced in favour of farmers planting barley and oilseed.
The area of oilseed rape increased by 7.2% in 2023 and was 391 thousand hectares.
Potatoes decreased by 9.9% to 115 thousand hectares in 2023, continuing the downward trend seen in recent years. In 2023, the area recorded was the lowest in the last 40 years.
The remaining arable crops covered 750 thousand hectares. Peas for harvesting dry, field beans and maize together account for 69% of this area. The area of peas and field beans increased by 2.3% whilst the area of maize increased by 8.5%.
Figures 2.1a to 2.1c provide further detailed breakdowns of crop areas.
Table 2.1 Agricultural land use at June of each year (thousand hectares)
Enquiries: Will Drabble on +44 (0) 3000 600 170
Email: farming-statistics@defra.gov.uk
Category | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|
UAA (Utilised Agricultural Area) | 17,227 | 17,426 | 17,022 |
UAA as a proportion of total UK area | 71% | 71% | 70% |
Total agricultural land | 18,631 | 18,757 | 18,334 |
Common rough grazing | 1,194 | 1,194 | 1,194 |
Total area on agricultural holdings | 17,436 | 17,562 | 17,140 |
Total croppable area | 6,056 | 6,084 | 6,086 |
Total crops | 4,574 | 4,571 | 4,515 |
Arable crops | 4,413 | 4,418 | 4,370 |
Cereals | 3,211 | 3,173 | 3,088 |
Oilseeds | 352 | 399 | 418 |
Potatoes | 137 | 127 | 115 |
Other arable crops | 713 | 718 | 750 |
Horticultural crops | 161 | 153 | 145 |
Uncropped arable land | 265 | 274 | 311 |
Temporary grass under 5 years old | 1,217 | 1,240 | 1,260 |
Total permanent grassland | 9,965 | 10,136 | 9,730 |
Grass over 5 years old | 6,071 | 6,158 | 6,074 |
Sole right rough grazing | 3,894 | 3,978 | 3,655 |
Other land on agricultural holdings | 1,416 | 1,342 | 1,324 |
Woodland | 1,076 | 996 | 948 |
Land used for outdoor pigs | 12 | 12 | 12 |
All other non-agricultural land | 328 | 334 | 364 |
Notes for table 2.1:
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UAA includes all arable and horticultural crops, uncropped arable land, common rough grazing, temporary and permanent grassland and land used for outdoor pigs (it excludes woodland and other non-agricultural land).
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Uncropped arable land includes all arable land not in production, including land managed in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC12), wild bird cover and game cover.
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Sole right rough grazing includes mountains, hills, heathland or moorland.
Source: UK Agriculture departments June Survey/Census of Agriculture
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Figures 2.1a to 2.1c - Crop areas at June of each year
Enquiries: Will Drabble on +44 (0) 3000 600 170
Email: farming-statistics@defra.gov.uk
Figure 2.1a Cereal crop areas (thousand hectares)
Year | Wheat | Barley | Oats | Rye, mixed corn and triticale | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 1,790 | 1,150 | 200 | 71 | 3,211 |
2022 | 1,813 | 1,116 | 176 | 69 | 3,173 |
2023 | 1,720 | 1,137 | 167 | 65 | 3,088 |
Figure 2.1b Other arable crop areas (thousand hectares)
Year | Oilseeds | Potatoes | Sugar beet (not for stockfeeding) | Peas for harvesting dry and field beans | Maize | Remaining arable crops | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 352 | 137 | 95 | 249 | 227 | 142 | 1,202 |
2022 | 399 | 127 | 91 | 269 | 222 | 137 | 1,245 |
2023 | 418 | 115 | 99 | 275 | 240 | 135 | 1,282 |
Figure 2.1c Horticultural crop areas (thousand hectares)
Year | Vegetables grown outdoors | Orchard fruit | Soft fruit & wine grapes | Hardy nursery stock, bulbs and flowers | Glasshouse crops | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 112 | 23 | 10 | 13 | 3 | 161 |
2022 | 107 | 22 | 10 | 11 | 3 | 153 |
2023 | 100 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 145 |
Notes for figures 2.1a to 2.1c:
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Vegetables grown outdoors excludes potatoes, peas for harvesting dry and mushrooms.
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Orchard fruit includes non-commercial orchards.
Source: June Surveys/Census of Agriculture/SAF land data
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Livestock numbers
In 2023, the total number of cattle and calves was 9.6 million, which decreased by 0.8% from 2022. The beef herd decreased by 3.8% and was 1.4 million animals and the dairy herd decreased by 0.3% and was 1.8 million animals.
The number of lambs under one year old was 15 million in 2023, which decreased by 6.1% from 2022. The female breeding flock decreased by 2.4% at 15 million animals. As a result, the total UK sheep and lamb population was 32 million which decreased by 4.1% compared to 2022.
The total number of pigs was 4.7 million which decreased by 10% from 2022. The number of pigs in the female breeding herd decreased by 1.5% and was 338 thousand in 2023. This is the lowest it has been in the past 21 years, with decreases seen across sows in pig and other sows, however gilts in pig saw a rise.
The total number of poultry in the UK decreased by 2.9% and was 178 million birds in 2023. Table chickens accounted for around two thirds of the total and decreased by 4.3% at 116 million birds in 2023. The breeding flock increased by 5.8% between 2022 and 2023 and sits at 13 million birds.
Figures 2.2a to 2.2d provide breakdowns of livestock populations.
Figures 2.2a to 2.2d - Livestock numbers at June of each year
Enquiries: Will Drabble on +44 (0) 3000 600 170
Email: farming-statistics@defra.gov.uk
Figure 2.2a Female cattle breeding herd (thousand head)
Year | Cows in the beef herd | Cows in the dairy herd | Total breeding herd |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 1,485 | 1,850 | 3,335 |
2022 | 1,463 | 1,842 | 3,305 |
2023 | 1,407 | 1,836 | 3,243 |
Figure 2.2b Sheep numbers (thousand head)
Year | Female breeding flock | Other sheep and lambs | Total |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 15,624 | 17,333 | 32,957 |
2022 | 15,826 | 17,348 | 33,174 |
2023 | 15,438 | 16,365 | 31,803 |
Figure 2.2c Female pig breeding herd (thousand head)
Year | Sows in pig | Gilts in pig | Other sows for breeding | Total breeding herd |
---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 282 | 54 | 63 | 398 |
2022 | 247 | 42 | 54 | 343 |
2023 | 238 | 48 | 52 | 338 |
Figure 2.2d Poultry numbers (thousand birds)
Year | Laying flock (including pullets) | Breeding flock | Table chickens (broilers) | Turkeys, ducks, geese, all other poultry | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 40,568 | 12,271 | 126,693 | 10,487 | 190,019 |
2022 | 40,442 | 12,021 | 121,730 | 9,295 | 183,488 |
2023 | 41,073 | 12,720 | 116,440 | 7,909 | 178,142 |
Notes for figures 2.2a to 2.2d:
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Dairy cows are defined as female dairy cows over 2 years old with offspring.
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Beef cows are defined as female beef cows over 2 years old with offspring.
Source: June Surveys/Census of Agriculture; Cattle Tracing System/APHIS
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Numbers and sizes of holdings and enterprises
Tables 2.2a through to 2.2d compare the number of holdings and area by farm size in 2018 and 2023. In 2023, the total number of holdings was 209 thousand which decreased by 4.0% compared to 2018. Within the five-year period the total area on holdings has decreased by 2.1%.
Between 2018 and 2023 the average area of all holdings increased by 2.0% and the average croppable area of holdings increased by 2.1%.
Figure 2.3a shows the proportion of holdings and total area by size bands. This shows that 19% of holdings have 100 hectares or more, but these holdings account for 75% of the total area. Most holdings in 2018 and 2023 had fewer than 20 hectares and accounted for just 4% of the total area. A similar picture can be drawn for the croppable area which is shown in figure 2.3c
Tables 2.2a to 2.2d and 2.3a to 2.3b show number of holdings and total areas for the UK and by country, respectively.
Numbers and sizes of holdings and enterprises at June of each year
Enquiries: Will Drabble on +44 (0) 3000 600 170
Email: farming-statistics@defra.gov.uk
Table 2.2a Numbers of holdings by total area size group (thousand)
Year | Under 20 hectares | 20 to under 50 hectares | 50 to under 100 hectares | 100 hectares and over | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 104 | 42 | 32 | 41 | 218 |
2023 | 98 | 41 | 30 | 40 | 209 |
Table 2.2b Total area on holdings by size group (thousand hectares)
Year | Under 20 hectares | 20 to under 50 hectares | 50 to under 100 hectares | 100 hectares and over | Total area |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 691 | 1,373 | 2,271 | 13,174 | 17,509 |
2023 | 712 | 1,343 | 2,162 | 12,922 | 17,140 |
Figure 2.3a Proportion of holdings and total area by size group
Category | Under 20 hectares | 20 to under 50 hectares | 50 to under 100 hectares | 100 hectares and over | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 - Proportion of holdings | 48% | 19% | 14% | 19% | 100% |
2023 - Proportion of holdings | 47% | 20% | 14% | 19% | 100% |
2018 - Proportion of total area | 4% | 8% | 13% | 75% | 100% |
2023 - Proportion of total area | 4% | 8% | 13% | 75% | 100% |
Figure 2.3b Average total and croppable areas on holdings (hectares)
Year | Average total area | Average total area on holdings with >=20 hectares | Average croppable area |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | 80 | 147 | 63 |
2023 | 82 | 148 | 65 |
Table 2.2c Numbers of holdings with croppable areas by size group (thousand)
Year | Croppable area 0.1 to under 20 hectares | Croppable area 20 to under 50 hectares | Croppable area 50 to under 100 hectares | Croppable area 100 hectares and over | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 46 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 96 |
2023 | 46 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 94 |
Table 2.2d Croppable area on holdings by size group (thousand hectares)
Year | Croppable area 0.1 to under 20 hectares | Croppable area 20 to under 50 hectares | Croppable area 50 to under 100 hectares | Croppable area 100 hectares and over | Total croppable area |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 296 | 609 | 979 | 4,201 | 6,084 |
2023 | 281 | 565 | 937 | 4,303 | 6,086 |
Figure 2.3c Proportion of holdings and croppable area by size group
Category | 0.1 to under 20 hectares | 20 to under 50 hectares | 50 to under 100 hectares | 100 hectares and over | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 - Proportion of holdings with croppable area | 48% | 19% | 15% | 18% | 100% |
2023 - Proportion of holdings with croppable area | 50% | 18% | 14% | 18% | 100% |
2018 - Proportion of croppable area | 5% | 10% | 16% | 69% | 100% |
2023 - Proportion of croppable area | 5% | 9% | 15% | 71% | 100% |
Notes for tables 2.2a to 2.2d and figures 2.3a to 2.3c:
- Croppable area is defined as land under crops, temporary grass under five years old and uncropped arable land.
Source: June Surveys/Census of Agriculture/SAF land data Scotland.
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Tables 2.3a to 2.3b - Numbers of holdings and areas by size group and country at June of each year
Enquiries: Will Drabble on +44 (0) 3000 600 170
Email: farming-statistics@defra.gov.uk
Table 2.3a Numbers of holdings by total area size group and country (thousand)
Country | Under 20 hectares | 20 to under 50 hectares | 50 to under 100 hectares | 100 hectares and over | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
England | 40 | 21 | 17 | 25 | 102 |
Wales | 21 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 38 |
Scotland | 26 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 43 |
Northern Ireland | 11 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 26 |
Table 2.3b Total area on holdings by size group and country (thousand hectares)
Country | Under 20 hectares | 20 to under 50 hectares | 50 to under 100 hectares | 100 hectares and over | Total area |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
England | 327 | 689 | 1,220 | 6,763 | 8,999 |
Wales | 123 | 219 | 361 | 1,065 | 1,768 |
Scotland | 150 | 167 | 301 | 4,714 | 5,331 |
Northern Ireland | 113 | 268 | 281 | 380 | 1,042 |
Figure 2.4 Average total area on holdings by country (hectares)
Country | Average total area | Average total area on holdings with >=20 hectares |
---|---|---|
England | 88 | 139 |
Wales | 47 | 99 |
Scotland | 123 | 297 |
Northern Ireland | 40 | 64 |
United Kingdom | 82 | 148 |
Source: June Surveys/Census of Agriculture/SAF land data Scotland.
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Agriculture Workforce
The agricultural workforce in 2023 decreased by 1.7% and was 462 thousand people. Farmers, business partners, directors and spouses accounted for almost two thirds of the total labour force.
Figure 2.5 Agricultural labour force on commercial holdings at June of each year (thousand)
Enquiries: Will Drabble on +44 (0) 3000 600 170
Email: farming-statistics@defra.gov.uk
Year | Farmers, business partners, directors and spouses (full time) | Farmers, business partners, directors and spouses (part time) | Regular employees, salaried managers and casual workers | Total labour force |
---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 147 | 153 | 167 | 467 |
2022 | 147 | 155 | 168 | 470 |
2023 | 148 | 151 | 163 | 462 |
Notes:
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Part-time is defined as working less than 39 hours per week (England & Wales), 38 hours per week (Scotland) and 30 hours per week (N. Ireland).
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Regular employees include salaried managers as not all UK countries collect separate estimates.
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For labour force numbers in earlier years see Structure of the agricultural industry.
Source: June Surveys/Census of Agriculture
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Historical data on the proportion of holders by age group, up to and including 2016, are available in table 2.6 of the dataset for this chapter. Data has not been collected by all United Kingdom countries since 2016.