Average farm business income for ‘general cropping’ in England, which includes field-scale vegetable production as well as arable, more than doubled in 2021/22 (the 12-month period ending in February), to £145,400 per farm, according to the results from the annual government survey.
More favourable weather led to higher yields compared to 2020, which along with firm prices and increased crop areas, also led to a rise in output.
Overall increase in output was partially offset by a 17% increase in fixed costs and 14% increase in variable costs.
At £13,200, income from agri-environment activities was considerably higher than in the previous year.
However, less than half of all general cropping farms returned an income of £75,000 or more and 5% failed to make a profit.
Consultants Promar have won the contract to run the farm business survey, which up to now had been undertaken by a group of universities. More farmers and growers will be given the opportunity to participate, and will now be offered various benefits in return, including access to Promar’s financial farm management software.