Search: 2007/03

In 2006, the total number of farms in Finland was 69,071, which is around 500 fewer than in 2005. The information is from the Farm Register maintained by Tike.  The final data will be published, as well as in Matilda, in printed form in late summer 2007. Average arable area almost unchangedThe average arable area on Finnish farms in 2006 was 33.31 hectares per farm, which was only a little higher than the year before (33.03 ha). Thus, it would seem that the growth of average arable area has levelled off.

In recent years, the social and economic significance of information on the operation of the food chain and food quality and safety has increased a great deal. Food crises, subsequent publicity and increased consumer awareness have highlighted the importance of understanding the functioning of the food chain. The new statistical publication compiled by Tike, the Information Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Pellolta pöytään [From Field to Table], fulfils the increasing need for information.

Tike (Information Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) statis-tics showed a rise in pork production volumes to a new record of 208.3 million kilograms in 2006. There was a slight downturn in pork producer prices. For the second year running, poultry meat production exceeded that of beef. Beef production increased slightly on the previous year. Beef producer prices rose for the second consecutive year.

Milk production continued to declineMilk production continued to decline for the fourth consecutive year. Milk production fell by about 20 million litres (-0.8%) from 2005. The milk volumes delivered from farms to dairies fell in the first half year by 0.3% and in the second by about one percent. The 2006 milk production volume (2,343 mill. litres) is the lowest since the compilation of comparable statistical records began in the1950s. Despite the decline in total milk production, domestic production continues to exceed consumption.