Real agricultural income per worker down by 2.1% in the EU in 2015

Abstract

Real agricultural income in the EU is estimated to have fallen by 4.0% in 2015 relative to 2014, while agricultural labour input dropped by 1.8%, thus income per worker decreased by 2.1%. The value of agricultural output in 2015 decreased by 3.0% in real terms, mainly due to a marked fall in the value of animal production, a slight decrease in the value of crop production, and a moderate decrease for input costs. The fall for animal production is mainly due to declines for milk and pigs, partly compensated by increases for cattle, sheep and goats, eggs and poultry. Concerning crop production, falls for sugar beet, grain maize, forage plants, oilseeds and oleaginous fruits, barley, and wheat and spelt, were almost counterbalanced by rises for olive oil, fresh vegetables, fruits and wine. The drop in the value of sugar beet and maize was associated with the summer drought in certain Member States. Input costs decreased by 3.5%, mainly due to reductions for energy and lubricants, and animal feed. The fall in the price of feed is a reflection of the decrease in the producer price of several cereals. These data are based on a revised set of estimates published by Eurostat in March 2016.