Agricultural facts: South East (including London) region

Agricultural facts: South East (including London) region  GOV.UK

Agricultural facts: South East (including London) region

Agricultural facts: South East (including London) region

Agricultural Facts: South East Region

Agricultural Facts: South East Region

Last Updated: 25 April 2024

Applies to England

Section 1: Key statistics

Figure 1.1: A map of England with the South East (including London) region highlighted


Source: Office for National Statistics, Open Geography Portal

The South East (including London) region comprises Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent and London.

Key statistics for the South East (including London) region

  • Total Income from Farming[1] in 2022 was £813 million, an increase of 18% since 2021 (Source: Total Income from Farming for the regions of England).
  • In 2022, the largest contributors to the gross output[2] value (£2.6 billion) were wheat (£484 million), fruits (£360 million), milk (£206 million) and plants and flowers (£194 million). These commodities accounted for 47% of the total output (Source: Total Income from Farming for the regions of England).
  • The average farm size in 2023 was 88 hectares. This is the fourth smallest average farm size of all the English regions and the same as the English average of 88 hectares.
  • The predominant farm types in 2023 were grazing livestock (40% of the region’s holdings) and general cropping (23% of the region’s holdings) farms.
  • Across all farm types, average Farm Business Income[3] was £102,700 per farm in 2022/23, which was an increase of 26% from 2021/22.

Figure 1.2: Distribution of farms by size in 2023 (percentage of farm holdings)


Region <5 ha 5<20 ha 20<50 ha 50<100 ha ≥100 ha Total
South East (including London) 14% 29% 20% 13% 23% 100%
England 13% 26% 20% 17% 24% 100%

Source: Defra, June Survey

Figure 1.3: Distribution of farms by size in 2023 (percentage of farmed area)


Region <5 ha 5<20 ha 20<50 ha 50<100 ha ≥100 ha Total
South East (including London) 0.3% 3.7% 7.5% 11% 78% 100%
England 0.3% 3

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article:

  • SDG 1: No Poverty
  • SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 15: Life on Land

Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content:

  1. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
  2. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
  3. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
  4. Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
  5. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:

  • Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age
  • Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size
  • Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities
  • Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index
  • Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 1: No Poverty Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age
SDG 2: Zero Hunger Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment. Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses. Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index
SDG 15: Life on Land Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: gov.uk

 

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