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For more information on this release:
E-mail: Agaccounts@cso.ie Viacheslav Voronovich (+353) 21 453 5164 Beryl Cronin (+353) 21 453 5333
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-5740
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Output, Input and Income in Agriculture

2017

Goods OutputIntermediate ConsumptionNet SubsidiesOperating Surplus
2015€7,138m€4,938m€1,333m€2,587m
2016€7,064m€5,075m€1,608m€2,641m
2017€8,056m€5,253m€1,637m€3,457m
% Change ('16 on '15)-1.0%2.8%20.6%2.1%
% Change ('17 on '16)14.0%3.5%1.8%30.9%

Agricultural operating surplus increased by 30.9% in 2017

Figure 1 Graph - Output, Input and Income in Agriculture, 2015-2017 Final Estimate
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The CSO’s final estimate of operating surplus in agriculture in 2017 shows an annual increase of 30.9%. This increase is in line with the trends shown by other CSO short-term indicators in agriculture. The main drivers of the change were milk and livestock outputs, which increased by 44.7% and 4.4%, respectively. See Headline Table.

Further comparison of 2017 and 2016 figures shows the following changes in estimated values.  See Table 1.

  • Goods output at producer prices increased by 14.0%, to reach €8,056m
  • Milk was the largest contributor to the growth in goods output.  Milk output increased by €801m in the year, with prices up by 32.6% and volume up by 9.0%
  • Cattle output increased by 3.2% or €72m and is estimated at €2,361m
  • Pig output increased by 10.8% to reach €516m, mainly due to improved prices
  • Total intermediate consumption was 3.5% greater than in 2016 and amounted to be €5,253m
  • Expenditure on commercial feeding stuffs increased by 8.1%, to reach €1,329m, mainly due to increase of 7.8% in the volume of consumption
  • Expenditure on fertilisers amounted to €513m in 2017, a marginal increase of 0.4% on 2016. This was in spite of 11.2% increase in the volume of consumption
  • The cost of energy and lubricants increased by 3.3% or €12m following a rise in oil prices

The value of other subsidies less taxes on production is estimated to have increased by 1.6% from €1,601m in 2016 to €1,626m for 2017. It should be noted that these figures include all subsidies actually paid by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the calendar year.

This release updates the Preliminary Estimate of Output, Input and Income in Agriculture published by the CSO in March 2018. 

In the beginning of 2018 Agriculture Prices switched to a new base year.  This rebase included an update of the basket of goods and services.  When a rebase takes place it gives rise to some element of discontinuity in the existing series.  The changes in Agriculture Prices have now been reflected in Agriculture Accounts.  An opportunity was also used to update the methodology for calculation of certain accounts items. The final results for years 2015 and 2016 were revised to reflect all of these changes.

 

Table 1 Output, Input and Income in Agriculture, 2015 - 2017€m
DescriptionEstimated Value (at current prices)
201520162017
Livestock (incl. stock changes)3,452.33,439.63,590.1
Cattle2,361.52,288.92,361.4
Pigs456.3465.2515.6
Sheep245.1255.4262.6
Horses247.3270.5287.4
Poultry142.2159.5163.1
   
Livestock products1,949.41,857.82,666.4
Milk1,881.11,790.82,591.7
Other products68.367.074.6
    
Crops (incl. stock changes)1,736.21,766.71,799.9
Barley174.0146.9150.1
Wheat63.363.165.9
Oats25.520.821.3
Potatoes116.6135.3126.5
Mushrooms137.0121.7118.2
Other fresh vegetables100.0106.3103.4
Fresh fruit50.851.154.4
Other crops65.272.179.2
Forage plants1,004.01,049.41,081.0
    
Goods output at producer prices7,137.97,064.18,056.3
    
Contract work348.0361.5376.4
Subsidies on products43.255.960.5
Taxes on products126.248.749.5
    
Agricultural output at basic prices7,403.07,432.78,443.7
   
Intermediate consumption4,938.05,074.85,252.7
Feedingstuffs1,180.31,228.71,328.6
Fertilisers565.1510.8513.0
Financial intermediation services indirectly measured (FISIM)1116.5156.3163.3
Seeds70.170.267.4
Energy and lubricants400.3375.4387.7
Maintenance and repairs431.0460.0466.1
Other Goods and services481.9511.2517.7
Crop protection products74.868.869.4
Veterinary expenses268.9285.5286.0
Forage plants1,001.11,046.31,077.2
Contract work348.0361.5376.4
    
Gross value added at basic prices2,465.02,357.93,191.1
    
Fixed capital consumption804.8809.0837.9
Machinery, equipment, etc.441.2422.2431.9
Farm buildings363.6386.8406.0
    
Net value added at basic prices1,660.11,548.92,353.2
   
Other subsidies less taxes on production1,416.21,600.71,625.7
    
Factor income3,076.33,149.63,978.8
    
Compensation of employees489.0508.9521.9
    
Operating surplus2,587.32,640.73,456.9
    
Interest less FISIM115.056.653.3
Land rental210.8241.3239.6
    
Entrepreneurial income2,261.52,342.83,164.0
1FISIM : Financial Intermediation Services Indirectly Measured. (See Background Notes).
Table 2 Selected Volume Indices, 2015 - 2017
Base year: 2015=100
Description201520162017
Goods output at producer prices100.0102.2106.1
   
Livestock1100.0103.5105.3
Cattle100.0103.8104.9
Pigs100.099.6102.5
Sheep100.0106.0110.0
Horses100.099.7103.7
Poultry100.0113.8114.5
   
Livestock products100.0104.2113.6
Milk100.0104.2113.5
   
Crops1   
Barley100.094.591.7
Wheat100.0105.6104.7
Potatoes100.0106.8114.4
Fresh vegetables100.0100.496.4
    
Intermediate consumption100.0102.1106.7
Feedingstuffs100.0103.9112.0
Fertilisers100.0100.9112.1
Seeds100.0109.0144.0
Energy and lubricants100.0102.099.0
Maintenance and repairs100.0106.1107.0
Other goods and services100.0101.6103.2
Crop protection products100.090.090.0
Veterinary expenses100.0104.2104.2
    
Gross value added at basic prices100.0104.6106.9
1Including changes in stocks

Background Notes

Introduction       

Three sets of estimates are prepared in each 12-month period. The first or Advance estimate is generally released in early December of the reference year, before the end of the reference year. This is based on the data available at the time, which is not fully complete. The Advance estimate is updated in February of the following year, when the Preliminary estimate is published.  This incorporates all additional up-to-date information that has become available by that time. In June, the Final estimate of the agricultural accounts is prepared, based on the complete set of data. The methodology used for producing accounts for agriculture is based on the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010). For details of methodology and description of data sources please see the “Methodology” link. 

Goods output at producer prices

This is the total output of goods produced and sold by the agricultural sector during the year valued at producer prices. It does not include the value of services provided, i.e. contract work.     

Producer price   

This is the price received by the farmer for his agricultural produce. It is sometimes referred to as the farm-gate or ex-farm price. It excludes VAT.

Agricultural output at basic prices

This is a sum of goods output plus the value of services provided (contract work) valued at basic prices.

Basic price

The basic price corresponds to the producer price plus any subsidies directly linked to a product minus any taxes on products. VAT is excluded.

Subsidies and taxes on products

Subsidies and taxes on agricultural products are those paid or levied per unit of a good or service produced or exported. An example of subsidies on product is the beef data and genomics premium. The bovine disease eradication levy is an example of a tax on products. 

Contract work 

Activities performed by agricultural contractors directly linked to the production of agricultural products (for example harvesting) are an integral part of agriculture. The value of such work is included as output and also as intermediate consumption.  Estimates of the input costs incurred by agricultural contractors in the provision of agricultural services are included under the appropriate intermediate consumption categories, as well as in the compensation of employees figure.

Intermediate consumption

This is the value of all goods and services used as inputs in the production process excluding fixed assets (capital goods), whose consumption is recorded as fixed capital consumption (depreciation). Intermediate consumption excludes new or existing acquired fixed assets, e.g. tractors, agricultural machinery etc.  They are recorded as gross fixed capital formation (GFCF). Intermediate consumption includes expenditure on contract work and forage plants, even if consumed within the same agricultural holding.

Forage plants     

The production of forage plants is valued as part of output.  Silage and hay are the main items in this category. Direct sales of cereals between farms and use of cereals within farms are also included under forage plants. These items are also treated as intermediate consumption with minor exceptions, such as sales of straw to racing stables. 

FISIM                   

Financial intermediaries (mainly banks) charge explicit commissions and fees for their services to customers, as well as implicit ones by paying and charging different rates of interest to borrowers and lenders. The revenue from the margin on lending and borrowing by financial intermediaries is described as financial intermediation services indirectly measured (FISIM). The inclusion of FISIM in the table is in line with recommended EU national accounting conventions. It is a reallocation to intermediate consumption of part of the interest paid by farmers. While the inclusion of FISIM will increase intermediate consumption and decrease gross value added, it will decrease, by the same amount, the figure shown for interest paid.

Gross value added at basic prices

This is the difference between the output at basic prices and intermediate consumption.  It is a measure of gross income before depreciation, subsidies and taxes and compensation of employees.

Net value added at basic prices

Net value added is calculated by subtracting expenditure on fixed capital consumption (depreciation) from gross value added.

Fixed capital consumption

This relates to the foreseeable wear and tear and obsolescence of fixed capital goods. It is calculated on the basis of the probable economic life of the asset. It is not calculated for breeding livestock or for non-produced assets such as land.

Factor Income

Factor income is a sum of net value added plus other subsidies on production less taxes on production. It is sometimes referred to as value added at factor cost.

Other subsidies and taxes on production

Other subsidies on production are subsidies other than those on products. Examples are the basic payment scheme, the areas of natural constraints scheme and the GLAS. Taxes on production consist of VAT over/under-compensation for farmers, who have opted for the flat rate VAT system, motor and machinery tax paid by farmers. Other subsidies less taxes on production are not included in the calculation of output but are included in the calculation of factor income and operating surplus.

Operating surplus

The operating surplus is calculated by subtracting compensation of employees from factor income. The figure is comprised of the operating surplus earned by farmers and that earned by agricultural contractors. It is an estimate of income before deductions for interest payments on borrowed capital, land annuities and rent paid by farmers to landowners for the use of their land.

Compensation of employees

This includes remuneration in cash and in kind. It does not include the remuneration of work undertaken by the farm owner or by non-salaried family members.

Entrepreneurial Income

Entrepreneurial income is comprised of operating surplus less interest payments on borrowed capital and land rental paid by farmers to landowners.

Valuation of stock changes

For each category, the difference between closing year stocks and opening year stocks is valued at the average producer price for the year.

Volume indices  

To calculate the volume indices all items of output and input are valued at constant base year prices, i.e. by applying base year prices to current year quantities. The volume index for 2016 may then be calculated by comparing the value in 2016 at average 2010 prices to the value in 2010 at average 2010 prices. Volume indices allow one to estimate the changes in production and expenditure, as if the prices did not change since the base year.  This separates the effects of volume and price changes on output, input and income.     

 

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