Accredited official statistics

Chapter 2: Structure of industry

Updated 20 February 2024

Summary

Key results for 2022 compared to 2021:

  • The Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) increased by 1.2% and was 17 million hectares, covering 71% of land in the UK.

  • The total croppable area saw little change and was 6.1 million hectares.

  • The cereal crops area decreased by 1.2% and was 3.2 million hectares.

  • The area of oilseed crops planted increased by 13% and was 399 thousand hectares.

  • The total number of cattle and calves remained almost unchanged and was 9.6 million animals. The beef herd decreased by 1.5% and was 1.5 million animals. The dairy herd decreased by 0.4% and was 1.8 million animals.

  • The total number of pigs decreased by 1.9% and was 5.2 million animals. The total number of female pigs in the breeding herd decreased by 14% and was 343 thousand animals.

  • The total number of sheep and lamb increased by 0.7% and was 33 million animals.

  • The total number of poultry decreased by 3.4% and was 183 million birds.

  • The total labour force on commercial holdings increased by 0.6% and was 470 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. The exception to this are most of the land use data in Scotland (sourced from Single Application Form (SAF) subsidy data). 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 (APHIS) system in Northern Ireland.

This chapter has been revised in January 2024 because of changes to Scotland and Northern Ireland data. Data for England and Wales have not changed. Scotland did not run the June Agricultural Census in 2022 due to improvement work around their census. Previous estimates used administrative data, for example from the Single Application Form (SAF) in place of June Census results. 2022 results for Scotland now included in this chapter are based on administrative data available in 2022 and/or imputation from 2021 or 2023 census to account for those holdings not captured previously. Northern Ireland delayed publication of 2022 June survey results until early 2023. Previously carried forward data from 2021 is now replaced by final 2022 survey results.

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 2022 the Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) was 17 million hectares, covering 71% 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 saw little change between 2021 and 2022, however some categories within this total had greater changes than others (see Table 2.1).

Cereal crops accounted for the majority (69%) of the cropped area. Wheat and barley are the predominant cereal crops. In 2022, the area of wheat increased by 1.3% and was 1.8 million hectares. The area of barley decreased by 2.9% and was 1.1 million hectares.

The area of oilseed rape increased by 19% in 2022 and was 365 thousand hectares.

Potatoes decreased by 7.0% to 127 thousand hectares in 2022.

The remaining arable crops covered 718 thousand hectares. Peas for harvesting dry, field beans and maize together account for 68% of this area. The area of peas and field beans increased by 8.2% whilst the area of maize decreased by 2.4%.

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: Helen Mason on +44 (0) 3000 600 170 Email: farming-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Category 2020 2021 2022
UAA (Utilised Agricultural Area) 17,269 17,227 17,426
UAA as a proportion of total UK area 71% 71% 71%
Total agricultural land 18,628 18,631 18,757
Common rough grazing 1,194 1,194 1,194
Total area on agricultural holdings 17,434 17,436 17,562
Total croppable area 6,024 6,056 6,084
Total crops 4,481 4,574 4,571
Arable crops 4,314 4,413 4,418
Cereals 3,038 3,211 3,173
Oilseeds 415 352 399
Potatoes 142 137 127
Other arable crops 719 713 718
Horticultural crops 166 161 153
Uncropped arable land 362 265 274
Temporary grass under 5 years old 1,181 1,217 1,240
Total permanent grassland 10,042 9,965 10,136
Grass over 5 years old 6,118 6,071 6,158
Sole right rough grazing 3,924 3,894 3,978
Other land on agricultural holdings 1,368 1,416 1,342
Woodland 1,065 1,076 996
Land used for outdoor pigs 10 12 12
All other non-agricultural land 293 328 334

Notes for table 2.1:

  1. 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).

  2. 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.

  3. 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: Helen Mason 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
2020 1,387 1,388 210 53 3,038
2021 1,790 1,150 200 71 3,211
2022 1,813 1,116 176 69 3,173

Figure 2.1b Other arable crop areas (thousand hectares)

Year Oilseed rape (including linseed) Potatoes Sugar beet (not for stockfeeding) Peas for harvesting dry and field beans Maize Remaining arable crops Total
2020 412 142 111 233 228 149 1,276
2021 348 137 95 249 227 146 1,202
2022 393 127 91 269 222 143 1,245

Figure 2.1c Horticultural crop areas (thousand hectares)

Year Vegetables grown outdoors Orchard fruit Soft fruit & wine grapes Outdoor plants and flowers Glasshouse crops Total
2020 118 23 11 11 3 166
2021 112 23 10 13 3 161
2022 107 22 10 11 3 153

Notes for figures 2.1a to 2.1c:

  1. Vegetables grown outdoors excludes potatoes, peas for harvesting dry and mushrooms.

  2. Orchard fruit includes non-commercial orchards.

  3. Soft fruit is strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, wine grapes and all other soft fruit

Source: June Surveys/Census of Agriculture/SAF land data

Download the full Structure of industry dataset.

Livestock numbers

In 2022, the total number of cattle and calves was 9.6 million, which was almost unchanged from 2021. The beef herd decreased by 1.5% and was 1.5 million animals and the dairy herd decreased by 0.4% and was 1.8 million animals.

The number of lambs under one year old was 16 million in 2022, which increased by 0.3% from 2021. The female breeding flock increased by 1.3% at 16 million animals. As a result, the total UK sheep and lamb population was 33 million which increased by 0.7% compared to 2021.

The total number of pigs was 5.2 million which decreased by 1.9% from 2021. The number of pigs in the female breeding herd decreased by 14% and was 343 thousand in 2022.

The total number of poultry in the UK decreased by 3.4% and was 183 million birds in 2022. Table fowl account for 66% of the total and decreased by 3.9% at 122 million birds in 2022. The breeding flock decreased by 2.0% between 2021 and 2022 and sits at 12 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: Helen Mason 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
2020 1,509 1,850 3,359
2021 1,485 1,850 3,335
2022 1,463 1,842 3,305

Figure 2.2b Sheep numbers (thousand head)

Year Female breeding flock Other sheep and lambs Total
2020 15,370 17,328 32,697
2021 15,624 17,333 32,957
2022 15,826 17,348 33,174

Figure 2.2c Female pig breeding herd (thousand head)

Year Sows in pig Gilts in pig Other sows for breeding Total breeding herd
2020 295 57 50 402
2021 282 54 63 398
2022 247 42 54 343

Figure 2.2d Poultry numbers (thousand birds)

Year Laying flock (including pullets) Breeding flock Table fowl Turkeys, ducks, geese, all other poultry Total
2020 39,758 13,785 118,388 10,025 181,957
2021 40,568 12,271 126,693 10,487 190,019
2022 40,442 12,021 121,730 9,295 183,488

Notes for figures 2.2a to 2.2d:

  1. Dairy cows are defined as female dairy cows over 2 years old with offspring.

  2. Beef cows are defined as female beef cows over 2 years old with offspring.

Source: June Surveys/Census of Agriculture; Cattle Tracing System/APHIS

Download the full Structure of industry dataset.

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 2017 and 2022. In 2022, the total number of holdings was 217 thousand which increased by 0.4% compared to 2017. Within the five-year period the total area on holdings has decreased by 0.4%.

Between 2017 and 2022 the average area of all holdings decreased by 0.8% and the average croppable area of holdings increased by 0.5%.

Figure 2.3a shows the proportion of holdings and total area by size bands. This shows that around a fifth of holdings have 100 hectares or more, but these holdings account for three quarters of the total area. Most holdings in 2017 and 2022 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: Helen Mason 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
2017 103 41 32 41 217
2022 103 42 31 41 217

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
2017 682 1,359 2,262 13,334 17,637
2022 724 1,380 2,234 13,225 17,562

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
2017 - Proportion of holdings 47% 19% 15% 19% 100%
2022 - Proportion of holdings 48% 19% 14% 19% 100%
2017 - Proportion of total area 4% 8% 13% 75% 100%
2022 - 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
2017 81 149 63
2022 81 147 64

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
2017 46 19 14 17 97
2022 47 17 13 17 95

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
2017 303 630 1,005 4,193 6,131
2022 286 567 950 4,282 6,084

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
2017 - Proportion of holdings with croppable area 47% 20% 15% 18% 100%
2022 - Proportion of holdings with croppable area 50% 18% 14% 18% 100%
2017 - Proportion of croppable area 5% 10% 17% 68% 100%
2022 - Proportion of croppable area 5% 9% 16% 70% 100%

Notes for tables 2.2a to 2.2d:

  1. 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: Helen Mason 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 41 21 18 25 104
Wales 21 6 5 5 37
Scotland 31 6 5 9 50
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 336 709 1,256 6,797 9,098
Wales 120 214 363 1,069 1,766
Scotland 155 188 331 4,980 5,655
Northern Ireland 113 268 284 379 1,043

Figure 2.4 Average total area on holdings by country (hectares)

Country Average total area Average total area on holdings with >=20 hectares
England 87 137
Wales 48 99
Scotland 113 288
Northern Ireland 40 64
United Kingdom 81 147

Notes for tables 2.3a to 2.3b:

Source: June Surveys/Census of Agriculture/SAF land data Scotland.

Download the full Structure of industry dataset.

Agriculture Workforce

The agricultural workforce in 2022 increased by 0.6% and was 470 thousand people. Farmers, business partners, directors and spouses accounted for 64% of the total labour force.

Figure 2.5 Agricultural labour force on commercial holdings at June of each year (thousand)

Enquiries: Helen Mason 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
2020 147 153 171 472
2021 147 153 167 467
2022 147 155 168 470

Notes:

  1. 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).

  2. Regular employees include salaried managers as not all UK countries collect separate estimates.

  3. For labour force numbers in earlier years see Structure of the agricultural industry.

Source: June Surveys/Census of Agriculture

Download the full Structure of industry dataset.

Data on the proportion of holders in each age group (previously table 2.6 in last year’s AUK) was not collected by all United Kingdom countries in 2021 and 2022. Therefore, this data table has been removed from this chapter. Historical data, up to and including 2016, are still available and can be found in table 2.6 of the dataset for this chapter