Scottish Farm Incomes Fall.April 4, 2014 12:00 amThe Scottish Government has released figures on average profits by business type (Farm Business Income) for the 2012 crop year (2012-13). These can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/03/8976The figures show an average fall in FBI for ‘all farm types’ of 34%, to £30,450 in 2012/13. Details for the main farm types can be seen in the table below.SCOTTISH FARM BUSINESS INCOMES – Source: Scottish GovernmentFarm TypeFarm Business Income (£/farm)% Change 10/11-12/13 2010/112011/122012/13Cereal51,58649,583 18,643-62%General Cropping70,56050,357 54,885+9%Mixed31,03724,191 34,702-28%Dairy72,555 78,625 45,316-42% LFA Cattle & Sheep41,833 43,183 20,449-53% Lowland Cattle & Sheep31,037 24,191 17,844-26% All Farm Types49,23646,30230,450-34% The results represent the lowest average FBI in the last four years, with all but general cropping farms unable to make a profit without subsidies. While outputs have increased the benefit has been outweighed by the increase in input costs, particularly livestock feed. The figures indicate that one in five farms made a loss in the 2012/13 year, this compares to about one in ten in the previous year. These figures cover the 2012 harvest and the long and cold winter of 2012-13. Therefore the low level of profits is not much of a surprise. The figures for the 2013-14 year should show substantial improvement.
