Rural Scotland People, Prosperity and Partnership

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The Importance of Scottish Agriculture

• The annual gross output of agriculture is around £1,800 million. This generates aggregate income to farmers and their families of around £450 million.

• Livestock and livestock products account for 70% of output; arable accounts for most of the remainder.

• Some 68,000 people are engaged in agriculture; slightly less than half are occupiers (self-employed) and the remainder employees or family labour. Agriculture supports over 200,00 people in a variety of related industries.

• In the Highlands and Islands some 10% of the work force is involved in agriculture.

• Some 65% of farms are owner occupied with an average net wealth estimated at some £350,000; tenanted farms account for the remainder with an average net wealth of almost £150,000.