Value of agriculture to the economy

The agri-food sector contributed £113 billion or 6.4% to national Gross Value Added in 2016.

The GVA of the food sector (excluding agriculture and fishing) increased 2.7% in 2016, following a 3.9% increase in 2015. Wholesaling GVA increased by 6.9%, whilst manufacturing rose by 7.0% and catering rose by 4.4%. Retailing GVA fell by 4.4%.

Longer term, the food sector (excluding agriculture and fishing) increased by 78% between 2000 and 2016 while the whole economy increased by 80%. The food sector has less scope for growth as there is a limit to consumer intake capacity and therefore it relies largely on quality improvements.

Source: Annual Business Survey (ONS). & Chapter 4 of Agriculture in the United Kingdom (Defra).

 

 

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