Agriculture, Analytics, Latvia, Markets and Companies, Statistics

he size of Latvian agricultural holdings is increasing – in 2016, the utilised agricultural area in one holding exceeded that recorded in 2013 by 19.6 % and that registered in 2010 by 27.9%. The total sown area of agricultural crops on average per holding has grown as well – from 12.5 ha in 2010 to 14.0 ha in 2013 and 17.4 ha in 2016. Compared to 2013, in 2016 the sown area of agricultural crops on average per holding increased by 24.3% and, compared to 2010, by 39.2%.

Average size of agricultural holding (hectares)

Comparison of the results acquired with those of the previous Farm Structure Surveys shows that the areas of grain in grain holdings are increasing. In 2016, one grain holding on average was growing 30.4 ha of cereals or 23.1 % more than in 2013 and 51.7% more than in 2010. The average area of industrial crops grown in holdings engaged in production of such crops reduced from 57.0 ha in 2010 and 55.4 ha in 2013 to 51.1 ha in 2016. Compared to 2013, in 2016 the area of industrial crops on average per holding has declined by 7.7%.

Crop area on average per holding growing agricultural crops (hectares)

The number of livestock on average per holding keeps rising – on 1 July 2016, one livestock holding was breeding on average 18 cattle, of which 9 dairy cows, 52 pigs, 35 sheep, 7 goats and 226 poultry.

Number of livestock on average per holding breeding livestock

In 2016, there were 69.9 thousand economically active agricultural holdings (with utilised agricultural area exceeding 1 ha or standard output exceeding 70 euros, regardless the area), which were managing 1920.1 ha of the utilised agricultural area. As the agricultural area in holdings grew, since 2010 the number of agricultural holdings has dropped by 13.5 thousand or 16.2%. Over the three recent years, the number of economically active holdings has reduced by 14.6%. During the six recent years, the utilised agricultural area in holdings has increased by 120.0 thousand ha or 6%.

Farm Structure Survey 2016 is a sample survey, within the framework of which information was acquired on 30 thousand agricultural holdings.