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Published: 21 March 2017

Farms’ amount of debt has grown in the 2010s

The average debt of farms has grown from 2004 to 2015 from around EUR 39,000 to nearly EUR 75,000. In most production sectors, the amount of debt has grown faster than wealth, which is visible as a reduction in the net wealth ratio. The fall in net wealth has been faster in farms engaged in animal production than in those focusing on plant production. The year 2015 in particular was clearly weaker in animal farms than plant farms. These data derive from the 2015 statistics on the finances of agricultural and forestry enterprises published now.

Development of debts in agriculture by production sector in 2004 to 2015

The amount of debt in agriculture has grown most in dairy cattle farms, where the average debt per farm was EUR 161,000 in 2015, while the amount of debt was EUR 57,000, on average, in 2004. Pig and poultry farms have, as a rule, more debt, but in 2004 to 2015, it has grown, however, at a slightly slower pace. In cereal farms, the amount of debt has nearly doubled during 2004 to 2015 from around EUR 23,000 in 2004 to about EUR 44,000 in 2015. For farms focusing on other plant production, the debt per farm has grown from EUR 26,000, on average, in 2004 to about EUR 37,000 in 2015. In the review, agriculture and forestry are examined separately. The results of agricultural enterprises are examined in Section 1 of the review. Information based on personal tax data is given in Section 2 of the review and statistics on private forestry in Section 3.

Source: Statistics on the finances of agricultural and forestry enterprises, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Juhapekka Kyllönen 029 551 2917

Director in charge: Mari Ylä-Jarkko

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Updated 21.3.2017