The European Union’s statistical body, Eurostat, released data today which shows that, across the EU 27, real income per agricultural worker has risen by 6.7 per cent this year. The increase in income follows a rise of 12.6 per cent in 2010.

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Eurostat’s first estimates were worked out by using information supplied by each member state as well as Norway and Switzerland, which are not in the EU. This reported increase actually results from an average rise of +3.9 per cent in income, together with a fall in agricultural labour input of -2.7 per cent.

The UK rises are shown to be below average at 4 per cent. However, inflation has risen faster than wages in the UK; in September, the consumer price index rose to 5.6 per cent.

Eurostat said that, between 2005 and 2011, agricultural income per worker is estimated to have increased by 18.3 per cent, while agricultural labour input has fallen by 15.2 per cent. The statistical office said this is primarily the result of a “rise in the value of agricultural output,” usually better producer prices.

Rises in 19 member states

Income per worker rose in 2011 in an estimated 19 member states, having fallen in eight. Romania experienced the highest percentage rise at +43.7 per cent. At -22.5 per cent, Belgium saw the steepest fall in wage prices. Across the 27 member states, producer prices have risen an estimated 7.5 per cent, mainly due to an increase in the value of both crop production and animal production.

In arable farming, increases in prices and production benefitted producers this year, according to Eurostat. Cereal and oilseed growers fared especially well. However, fresh vegetable producers’ incomes were down 10 per cent.

The rises stand against projected further rises in input costs across the bloc; Eurostat said input costs could be expected to increase 9.7 per cent. Feed is predicted to rise 16.8 per cent and fertiliser and soil improver is predicted to cost 14.6 per cent more in the New Year. Increases are also expected in the prices of energy and lubricants (+11.8 per cent), seeds and planting stocks (+4.3 per cent) and maintenance of buildings (+3.8per cent).

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