2016 agricultural statistics published

24 January 2018

The Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture Department (EDTSC) has released the Agricultural Statistics report for 2016.

Agricultural statistics 2016

For the first time, the report has been compiled using a new online methodology, which allows the Department to streamline the statistical information it gathers and to make comparisons over longer, ten-year periods.

The report shows that the exported tonnage of Jersey Royal potatoes has remained stable over the past decade, while the gross return per tonne of the crop (not index-linked) has increased by £250 per tonne (33%) from 2006 to 2016. The number of permanent full-time employees has decreased by 19.5%, and the number of part-time employees has decreased by 33%, indicating a welcome increase to productivity in the sector. Organic production remains at levels similar to or slightly lower than those in 2012, despite continued demand. Daffodil production and export remains viable and stable, while also serving as a good rotation crop to moderate potato cyst nematode populations.

In the dairy industry, total cattle numbers in Jersey increased slightly through local beef production, while the number in milk has fallen for a second year. This ongoing reduction is due to a range of factors, including: a reduction in the number of dairy farms in Jersey; increasing milk production per cow driven by the import of international genetics in 2008; and the milk licensing scheme managing the output of individual dairy farms to bring it in line with market demand.

EDTSC Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, said “Much effort has been made this year to transform the way in which these statistics are collected, which will make the publication of the 2017 report a far more productive exercise. The report provides a valuable snapshot of the industry and allows us to see areas of good performance, as well as those sectors, such as organic production, where improvements can be made.”