Farm incomes suffer across the EU

Farmers across the EU will be facing a lean Christmas with statistics showing an average 4% drop in agricultural incomes in the 28 member states.

Prices across nearly all crops and animal products fell, with potatoes, cereals and oilseeds facing the biggest drop. However, this was partly offset by cheaper input costs. 

Despite the tough year for many UK farmers, agricultural incomes actually increased 6.9% on the year, although this perhaps reflects how challenging 2013 was, with difficult growing conditions and low prices in some sectors.