Share of agriculture in GDP (source: EC)#1: Boosting agri-production
After the horroristic 2009, 2010 and 2011 was characterized by +10% and +3.7% increase in real agricultural income.The general agri-production was increased by 1.4% in 2011 (and the prices increased by 5.7%). Raw milk production has increased to 151.4 million tonnes, the average yield per diary cow is approx. 6,431 kg (17,230 pounds).Poultry meat production slightly increased by 0.4% in 2011, but the EU export grew by 13% (mainly to China and to Middle East). The EU beef consumption remains at 16.2 kg per capita, and the beef production increased by 1.8% in 2011. The pig sector is facing a continuing process of concentration to larger production units, and the production increased by 1.7% in 2011.
#2: Rising prices
The increasing global demand for food has increased both production and prices of EU agriculture in 2011. The raw milk prices has increased with 11% in 2011, from 30.5€/100kg to 34€/100kg (=12.68€ per cwt). Polutry meat prices has reached the historical 194€/ 100kg (=72.38€ per cwt). Beef prices were between 333-380 €/100 kg (124-142€ per cwt), higher levels in all categories than in 2010. Average pig meat prices reached 153€/100kg (57€ per cwt), 13€/100kg higher than in 2010.
#3: Increasing efficiency
The agricultural employment fell by 2.7% in 2011 (compared to 2010). The agricultural income per annual labour unit (practicly, the labour productivity) boosted in more Eastern European states, especially in Romania and Hungary (over 40%). Developing technologies, concentrating farms resulted a more efficient agri-business in EU.
Some background information
The following short video provides a brief guide to the EU Common Agriculture Policy, for the better understanding of European food business' sandbox:
