News

10 Sep 2018

Output from British horticultural businesses increasing

Defra's Farm Business Survey results show a 24% increase in total output for horticulture businesses between 2015/16 and 2016/17.

The findings come from research conducted by Rural Business Research, a group of specialist Universities and Colleges in England who undertake the Defra-funded Farm Business Survey (FBS) in England.

For the specialist glass sector, farm business income increased by 11% with a 49% increase coming from the edible sector and a 3% increase in profitability from the non-edibles sector.

In addition, farm business income for all specialist fruit businesses increased from £682 per/ha to £1,539 per/ha.

See also: Staying one step ahead of the competition 

The survey has revealed that a big part of the business output (19%) comes from the extra diversified activities that businesses undertake which includes on-farm crop processing and customised crop-packaging services for wholesale.

The 'other' horticulture group represents all small-scale businesses including outdoor vegetables, ornamentals, soft fruit, top fruit and farm crops. Farm business income for this group increased by 14% during 2016/2017 with premium businesses record an FBI of £2,596 per hectare.

The results of the survey showcase the alternative avenues farmers are considering to add value to existing businesses to help the bottom line.

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