LATEST estimates from DEFRA show that farm incomes rose by 13% during 2013.

The increase of £631m in total income from farming to £5.46bn for the industry as a whole means income is just 0.7% lower than it was in 2011 after inflation has been taken into account.

Cereals had a more mixed performance. For wheat, prices were up by 7%, but the 20% reduction in area planted meant the total output fell by £75m to £2bn. Barley fared better in terms of total output at £1.1bn, up by £199m. But the increase in supply of barley meant prices dropped by 6% compared with the previous 12 months. Oilseed rape saw a £245m decrease in its total value.

Livestock performed well, with poultry output up by £250m to £2.23bn. The pig sector also improved by £141m to a total of £1.28bn. The dairy industry showed a marked increase in income, with a rise of £505m in total output to £4.2bn. That was achieved on the back of improved milk prices, which rose on average from 28.1p/litre in 2012 to 31.6p/litre in 2013.

DEFRA farm minister George Eustice said: “These latest figures are encouraging and show the industry doing well. A rise in global demand for British food and drink is providing growth opportunities that many of our businesses are taking up, increasing our exports by 50% during the past ten years. Thousands of farms have taken up business grants from DEFRA to help improve farm competitiveness, increase turnover and create rural jobs.”