Agriculture in the United Kingdom

Agriculture in the United Kingdom uses 69% of the country's land area, employs 1% of its workforce (471,000 people)^[1][2] and contributes 0.5% of its gross value added (£11.2 billion).^[3] The UK currently produces about 54% of its domestic food consumption.^[4]

Agricultural activity occurs in most rural locations. It is concentrated in the drier east (for crops) and the wetter west (for livestock).^[5] There are 191,000 farm holdings, which vary widely in size.^[6]

Despite skilled farmers, advanced technology, fertile soil and subsidies, farm earnings are relatively low, mainly due to low prices at the farm gate. Low earnings, high land prices and a shortage of let farmland discourage young people from joining the industry. The average (median) age of the British farm holder is about 60 (as of 2016).^{[7][8][9][10]}

Recently there have been moves towards organic farming in an attempt to sustain profits, and many farmers supplement their income by diversifying activities away from pure agriculture. Biofuels present new opportunities for farmers against a background of rising fears about fossil fuel prices, energy security, and climate change. There is increasing awareness that farmers have an important role to play as custodians of the British countryside and wildlife.^[11]