Agricultural income slightly up

Income generated by the agricultural sector last year is estimated to have amounted to €63.2 million, up marginally by 0.8 per cent when compared to 2006, as a result of contrasting developments within the agricultural sector, the National Statistics Office said.

Last year, the value of final production at producer prices rose by 1.1 per cent over 2006.

The value of final production of the livestock sector rose marginally by 0.6 per cent as a result of a 16 per cent increase in the value of broilers slaughtered, whereas the final value of beef and pork production declined by 3.5 and 6.3 per cent respectively.

The final value of animal products rose by 4.7 per cent over 2006 on account of an increase of 7.3 per cent in the value of milk production.

On the other hand, egg production declined slightly.

The final value of crop production rose by 4.8 per cent, mainly due to an increase in the final value of vegetables and potatoes, by 14.6 and 9.9 per cent respectively.

The final value of forage and fruit production fell by 12.1 and 29.3 per cent respectively.

Secondary activities in agriculture refer to products which are derived from farming processes.

These activities within the agricultural sector made up 7.3 per cent of the final value of agricultural production in 2007.

When compared to 2006, the final value of agricultural production declined by 16.7 per cent as a result of a 46.9 per cent drop in the final value of wine production.

Total intermediate consumption increased by six per cent to €70.2m in 2007. Animal feed, which accounted for 51.2 per cent of all operational costs in 2007, increased by 9.5 per cent on 2006.

On the other hand, energy costs in 2007 declined by 2.7 per cent, to stand at €8.6m.

The total subsidies absorbed by agricultural producers rose by 17.1 per cent in 2007, amounting to €22.4m. Whereas subsidies on production declined by 12 per cent to €11.9m, subsidies not directly linked with production rose by 87.2 per cent, to stand at €10.5m.

The dependency on subsidies rose by 4.9 percentage points (+16.1 per cent) to stand at 34.5 per cent.