UK farm agricultural services expenditure
UK farm agricultural services expenditure stood at £1,641.08m in 2025, according to GOV.UK official statistics. It is one of the indicators in the Farm income and yields table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1973 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Farm income and yields table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total intermediate consumption | 21,624.43 | 21,293.54 | 21,999.39 | 21,719.25 | 18,613.02 | 16,939.16 | 17,264.94 | 17,117.51 | 15,919.91 | 15,009.62 | |
| Agricultural services | 1,641.08 | 1,639.88 | 1,549.41 | 1,492.84 | 1,348.74 | 1,247 | 1,281.99 | 1,241.52 | 1,140.03 | 1,090.54 | |
| Bank charges | 212.37 | 190.88 | 202.95 | 192.18 | 168.3 | 171.52 | 159.44 | 129.22 | 109.89 | 105.77 |
Understanding UK farm agricultural services expenditure
Payments disbursed by agricultural holdings across the United Kingdom for specialised outsourced tasks and operational support services are aggregated within this row in millions of pounds. This metric isolates spending on contract farming, veterinary assistance, haulage, machine hire with operators, and administrative or accounting advice, distinguishing these external professional inputs from raw materials or direct wage compensation paid to regular employees. It measures the extent to which holdings rely on external business providers rather than internal resources.
Evaluating this series demands attention to structural shifts in farm management strategies, such as the increasing outsourcing of harvesting and spraying operations. Early estimates incorporate provisional survey returns from contractors and agricultural associations, meaning figures are frequently adjusted as complete administrative datasets become available. Analysts should observe multi-year shifts rather than single-period changes to understand underlying structural dependencies. Comparing this metric directly with regular employee compensation reveals whether holdings are substituting staff for outsourced specialist contractors.
FAQ: {"q": "What specific activities are counted under agricultural services expenditure?", "a": "It includes payments for contract harvesting, hire of machinery with drivers, veterinary services, and professional consultancy."} {"q": "How does this metric differ from regular farm wages?", "a": "Expenditure here goes to external businesses and independent contractors, whereas employee compensation covers wages paid directly to hired farm workers on the payroll."} {"q": "Why do early estimates of agricultural services spending often get revised?", "a": "Initial calculations depend on limited sample surveys of service providers, which are later updated with more complete administrative tax and trade data."}
Frequently asked questions
- What specific activities are counted under agricultural services expenditure?
- It includes payments for contract harvesting, hire of machinery with drivers, veterinary services, and professional consultancy.
- How does this metric differ from regular farm wages?
- Expenditure here goes to external businesses and independent contractors, whereas employee compensation covers wages paid directly to hired farm workers on the payroll.
- Why do early estimates of agricultural services spending often get revised?
- Initial calculations depend on limited sample surveys of service providers, which are later updated with more complete administrative tax and trade data.