In 2008 there were just under 26,000 active farms in Northern Ireland, utilising 1 million hectares of land.
Last year Agriculture accounted for some £1.4Bn in output. Around 50,000 people were involved in farming,
most working a part-time basis. Over half of the economic output from farms comes from the dairy sector,
even though it accounts for only 1 farm in every 7.
A very small percentage of land in Northern Ireland (1%) is given to organic production. In comparison, across the EU, Austria has the
highest percentage with 11% and the UK as a whole, has just over 4% of land in organic production.
Statistical information from DARD comes from two main sources:
1. The Annual Census – giving an overview of farms, labour, crops & animals.
2. The Farm Business Survey – giving a detailed breakdown of farm accounts.
Statistical review of NI Agriculture
Size & performance of NI food & drinks sector
European Union Structure Survey
Detailed Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry small area statistics can also be obtained from the Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service website
by clicking here
All official statistical publications on this theme can be found
here
