Scottish farm incomes halved in four years

The incomes of commercial farms in Scotland are estimated to have halved over the four years to 2014.

The latest reduction in farm business income, a measure of the return to unpaid labour on commercial farms, continues a four-year decline in average income.

Average farm business income fell by a quarter (£8,000) between 2013 and 2014, to £23,000 which is the lowest level of FBI since the measure was introduced, according to estimates from the Scottish government’s annual farm accounts survey. Since peaking at £51,000 in 2010, commercial farms have seen a decrease of 55% (£28,000).

The results are based on annual audits of 500 commercial farms in Scotland.