The breakdown of fully organic land use in Wales mirrors that of the UK as a whole, the majority (nearly 90%) being grassland or pasture for lamb or cattle, see Table 1. Arable accounts for just under 5% or fully organic land, and horticulture 1%. The average organic farm size in Wales is 94 ha, somewhat smaller than in England and Scotland, and the number of farmers has fallen slightly from 619 to 613 during the year to April 2004.

Welsh organic land by enterprise, 2003/04

Beef and sheep production dominate organic farming in Wales. Consequently, almost 90% or 44,341 hectares of organic land in Wales is grassland; of this 33,650 hectares is permanent pasture and 10,691 hectares is temporary leys. For more detailed information on the Welsh organic red meat sector see the following reports: 'Improving market intelligence for the organic red meat sector in Wales' and 'Organic red meat development in Wales'. See Table 1, below.

Just under 5% or 2,389 hectares of organic land in Wales is under arable production; this has increased slightly since April 2003 when it was 1,648 hectares. Organic barley production accounts for 870 hectares, wheat 425 hectares and oats 398 hectares. See Table 2, below.

Just 487 hectares of organic land in Wales is under horticultural production - approximately 1% of total Welsh organic land. Of this 125 hectares is potatoes, 100 hectares is root vegetables and 110 hectares is mixed vegetables, green vegetables, salad and protected crops. For more information on the organic horticultural sector in Wales see: Improving market intelligence for organic horticulture production in Wales. See Table 3, below.

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Producers, processors and farms

A number of farms have withdrawn from organic management in the past year, either reverting to non-organic management or leaving farming altogether. Consequently, the number of registered organic producers has fallen. In April 2003 there were 619 registered organic producers in Wales, by April 2004 this had fallen slightly to 613 producers (15 per cent of the UK total). This trend mirrors that seen in the UK as a whole where the number of registered organic producers fell by 2.7% over the same period.

There is insufficient market intelligence to determine why these farmers have withdrawn from organic production but agriculture in Wales is characterised by small and medium scale producers that may have been affected by the increasing costs of production and decreasing returns.

In addition, there is evidence of amalgamation between existing organic units in Wales. Despite the fall in registered organic producers the average organic farm size increased from 88 hectares in April 2003 to 94 hectares in April 2004, indicating a consolidation of farm business (See table 4, below).

The number of registered organic processors in Wales increased from 103 in April 2003 to 109 in April 2004 (Figures from Defra statistics department, 2004). This is encouraging as it indicates that consumer demand for high quality, organic produce continues to grow. On-farm processing can be a means for small producers to add value to organic produce, for example the Trioni/Three Farms Dairy successfully produce and process fresh and flavoured milk across Wales and throughout the UK.

Further information

To purchase a copy of the Soil Associations 'Organic Food and Farming report 2004', please telephone 0117 914 2433 or visit www.soilassociation.org, or for further information on the report's contents please contact the author Michael Green. To access Defra organic statistics please click here or tel 020 7533 5888, email info@statistics.gov.uk. 

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Tables

Table 1: Welsh organic land area by enterprise type, 2003/04 (hectares)

 

	April 03	% of fully organic Welsh land	April 04	% of fully organic Welsh land
Grassland/Pasture	36,536	88.3	44,341	89.5
Arable	1,648	4	2,389	4.9
Horticultural	513	1.2	487	1
Woodland	422	1	621	1.3
Other*	2,263	5.5	1,709	3.4
Total	41,381		49,546

*Includes fodder, silage and other crops and unknown organic enterprises.

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Table 2: Fully organic arable production in Wales, 2003/04

	2003/04
Wheat	425
Oats	398
Barley	870
Triticale	48
Rye	28
Peas and beans	404
Maize	18
Oilseeds	16
Other	93
Set-aside	89
Welsh total	2,389

Table 3: Fully organic horticultural production in Wales, 2003/04 (hectares)

	2003/04
Potatoes	125
Green vegetables	38
Mixed vegetables	60
Protected crops	1
Root vegetables	100
Salad vegetables	11
Swedes and turnips	69
Peas and beans	21
Herbs	1
Flowers and ornamentals	4
Seed protection	16
Soft fruit	8
Top fruit	35
Welsh total	487

Table 4: Average organic farm size in the UK, April 2001 to April 2004 (hectares)

	April 2001	April 2002	April 2003	April 2004
England	91	101	100	100
Wales	50	100	88	94
Scotland	471	604	565	537
Northern Ireland	69	40	42	40
UK average	150	189	182	174

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