- Data from November 2012. Most recent data: Further Eurostat information, Main tables and Database.
This article is part of a series of country-specific essays on the results of the European Union (EU) Farm structure survey (FSS) 2010. The FSS collects information on the structural characteristics of the agricultural holdings (land use, livestock and labour force) and is carried out by all European Union Member States every 10 years as an Agricultural census, with two or three additional, intermediate sample surveys carried out in-between. The present analysis of the Greek farm structure includes a comparison with the Agricultural census 2000.
Source: Eurostat (ef_kvaareg) (ef_ov_kvaa) (demo_pjan) and FSS 2000 and 2010
Source: Eurostat (ef_kvaareg) (ef_ov_kvaa) and FSS 2000 and 2010
_by_UAA_size_classes_GR_2010.PNG)
Source: Eurostat (ef_kvaareg) (ef_ov_kvaa)
Source: Eurostat (ef_lu_ovcropaa) (ef_oluaareg)
Source: Eurostat (ef_lu_ovcropaa) (ef_oluaareg)
Source: Eurostat (ef_mptenure)
Source: Source: Eurostat (ef_pmhouscatlaa)
Main statistical findings
Key indicators
As exhibited in Table 1, there were 723 010 agricultural holdings in Greece. Although 94 050 farms ceased their activity over the inter-census period (-11.5 %), Greece was among the EU Member States with the highest number of holdings in 2010; only Romania (3.8 million farms), Italy (1.6 million), Poland (1.5 million) and Spain (989 800) recorded higher values.
Also the utilised agricultural area (UAA) decreased in Greece, though it did so at a lower rate (-2.9 %): in absolute terms, it lost 105 260 hectares over the period under analysis. Accordingly, the agricultural area indicated the value of 3.5 million hectares and covered about one fourth of the Greek territory in 2010; the Czech Republic (3.5 million ha) and Sweden (3.1 million ha) were two other EU-28 countries which recorded similar values.
In Greece, the fall in the number of holdings was sharper than the decrease in the agricultural land (see Table 1). As a result, the average size of the holdings rose between the two reference years, from 4.4 ha to 4.8 ha per farm. However, Greece proved to be among the EU Member States with the lowest average area per farm, with only Romania (3.4 ha per farm), Cyprus (3 ha) and Malta (0.9 ha) reporting smaller values.
As largely observed throughout the EU-28, also in Greece the agricultural labour force decreased, from 1.4 million persons in 2000 to 1.2 million in 2010 (-15.3 %). However, the regular agricultural labour force still represented one fourth of the active population[1] in 2010, which was one of the highest shares recorded among the EU Member States.
As presented in Table 1, about 2.4 million livestock units were reported in Greece, a value which indicates a -5.3 % decrease compared to 2000 (-133 590 LSU); from among the other EU-28 countries, Hungary (2.5 million LSU) and Portugal (2.2 million LSU) recorded similar values.
Regional key indicators
Table 2 presents the key indicators by NUTS 2 regions, shedding light on the local characteristics of the Greek agriculture. In terms of the number of holdings, the territory of “Kentriki Makedonia” recorded the highest value (101 200 farms) and accounted for 14 % of the entire population in 2010; it was also the only region to report a value above the 100 000 threshold. The southern region of “Peloponnisos” (13 %) and the territory of “Dytiki Ellada” (12.2 %) recorded the only other double digit shares. On the other end of the scale, the lowest number of holdings (21 490) was recorded within the territory of “Notio Aigaio”, which shared 3 % in 2010.
If the agricultural area is taken into account, the region of “Kentriki Makedonia” recorded the highest value (641 670 ha); it accounted for 18.4 % of the country’s UAA. The territories of “Thessalia” (11.3 %) and “Kentriki Makedonia” (10 %) were the only other ones to report double digit shares. “Peloponnisos” (9.7 %) and “Sterea Ellada” (9.6 %) also recorded noteworthy shares, though they both reported losses compared to 2000: -44 380 ha for “Peloponnisos” and -16 060 ha in the case of “Sterea Ellada”. The smallest shares of agricultural land were recorded within the territory of “Attiki” (46 970 ha) and the insular region of “Ionia Nisia” (77 000 ha), which shared 1.4 % and 2.2 % respectively in 2010.
In terms of the livestock – measured in livestock units (LSU) – the territory of “Kentriki Makedonia” reported the highest value (407 000 LSU) and accounted for 16.9 % of the entire population of farm animals; the corresponding percentage in the region (16.4 %) was slightly smaller in 2000. The regions of “Thessalia” (12.7 %) and “Dytiki Ellada” (12 %) recorded similar shares and, together with the territory of “Ipeiros” (10.7 %), were the only other ones to report double digit shares in 2010.
As exhibited in Table 2, 171 740 people were working on the farms in “Kentriki Makedonia”, a value which accounted for 14.2 % of the Greek agricultural labour force in 2010. Although its value decreased by 13 % (-23 750 persons), “Peloponnisos” recorded the second highest share (13.1 %), followed by “Dytiki Ellada” (11.7 %) whose agricultural labour force actually lost 23 700 units over the inter-census decade. On the other end of the scale, the Aegean insular territory of “Notio Aigaio” recorded the smallest value (36 480 persons) and accounted for a marginal 3 % of the agricultural labour force.
Agricultural holdings
Contrary to the general pattern observed throughout the EU-28, the Greek agricultural area proved to be quite evenly distributed among all the classes of farms (see Figure 1). The highest share was reported by holdings with 10 to 19.9 hectares of UAA (18 %); furthermore, both farms with 5 to 9.9 ha (17 %) of agricultural land and those with 2 to 4.9 ha (17 %) recorded similarly high shares. From among the holdings with agricultural area, the largest farms – those with 100 hectares or more of UAA – were found to share the smallest percentage of UAA (7 %).
If the number of farms is taken into account, the size classes do not look so homogeneous, as holdings with less than 2 hectares of agricultural land (373 340) were by far the most common: they accounted for half of the entire population. Holdings with 2 to 4.9 ha (183 820) represented one fourth of the Greek population of farms, whereas holdings with 5 to 9.9 hectares were found to share 12 %. All the farms with less than 10 hectares of agricultural land (644 930) put together proved to account for 89 % of the entire population of farms in Greece in 2010.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2000 and 2010
Economic size of the farm
As exhibited in Table 3, the economic size of the Greek agricultural holdings indicated the value of EUR 6 700 million in 2010; from among the other EU Member States, Belgium (EUR 7 248 million) and Austria (EUR 5 879 Million) recorded similar values. In Greece, the economic value of the holdings, which is calculated by adding all the standard output (SO) per hectare of crop and per head of livestock of the farms, decreased over the inter-census period (-12.7 %). Drops were recorded for all classes of farms but the biggest one, which actually increased its value by 3.3 % (+ EUR 7.7 million).
Three classes of farms proved to play a major role within the structure of the Greek agriculture: farms with an economic size of EUR 25 000 to 49 999, those with an economic value of EUR 15 000 to 24 999 and the ones ranging from EUR 8 000 to 14 999. In 2010, they were found to be the only ones to record values above the EUR 1 000 million threshold and together they accounted for half of the entire country’s Standard Output.
From among the Greek regions, “Kentriki Makedonia” recorded the highest value (EUR 1 269 million) and accounted for 19 % of the country’s SO. The territory of “Peloponnisos” reported the second highest share (13 %), followed by the regions of “Dytiki Ellada” (11 %) and “Thessalia” (11 %). On the other end of the scale, the Ionian insular region of “Ionia Nisia” (2 %) and Aegean insular territory of “Notio Aigaio” (2 %) recorded the smallest shares, as they accounted for EUR 122 million and EUR 143 million SO respectively.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010 and 2007
Agricultural holding by main type of farming
As presented in Figure 2, it is possible to see a clear pattern in the number of holdings and the main type of farming: farms specialised in olive production played a major role, as they represented 38.3 % of the entire population of holdings in 2010. Also farms dedicated to general field cropping scored a remarkable share (10.1 %), whereas farms specialised in cereal oilseed and protein crops (8.6 %) were found to fall below the 10 % threshold.
The ranking looks different if the economic size is taken into account, with three main types of production accounting for 41 % of the entire Greek Standard Output: agricultural holdings specialised in general field cropping (16.8 %), farms dedicated to the production of olives (15 %) and the ones dedicated to fruits and citrus fruits (9.6 %). Furthermore, farms classified under the general “others” category – which actually merges all the types of farming that scored shares lower than 3 % – recorded a notable share of 11.1 % in 2010.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2010
Land use
The Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) is the total area used by the farm, regardless of the type of tenure or whether it is used as a part of common land. It is made up of four major components: arable land, permanent grassland and meadow, permanent crops and kitchen gardens.
In 2010, the Greek UAA mainly consisted of arable land (50.8 %), permanent grassland and meadow (21.6 %) and permanent crops (27.3 %). Between the two reference years, the area dedicated to permanent grassland and meadow gained 145 380 hectares (+24 %), whereas the arable land lost 197 570 ha (-10.1 %) and the land dedicated to permanent crops suffered a loss of 51 350 ha (5.1 %).
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2000 and 2010
Arable land
As presented in Table 4, the Greek arable land was essentially taken up by cereals (29.3 %), industrial crops (7.6 %), fodder crops (6.4 %) and fallow land (4.3 %). Among these harvests, industrial crops reported the largest loss compared to 2000 (-213 730 ha), followed by cereals, whose land reduced by 109 890 ha (-9.7 %). On the contrary, the area dedicated to the production of fodder crops almost doubled its value (+84 130 ha) over the inter-census decade; fallow land reported a smaller increase (+57 150 ha).
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2000 and 2010
Permanent grassland
Over the 2000-2010 timeframe, the area of permanent grassland increased by about 25 % (+145 380 ha); from among its components, pasture and meadow recorded the biggest growth (+70 490 ha), while the area of rough grazing increased by only 58 210 ha (14.5 %) – no land was classified under the category “permanent grassland and meadow - not used for production, eligible for subsidies” in 2000.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2000 and 2010
Livestock
Statistics on livestock use two different units of measurement, the number of heads (number of animals) and the livestock units (LSU), with the latter allowing comparison between different types.
In Greece, about 2.4 million LSU were recorded in 2010 (-133 590 LSU compared to 2000); from among the other EU Member States, Hungary (2.5 million LSU) and Portugal (2.2 million LSU) recorded similar values. In relative terms, there were 0.21 LSU per inhabitant in 2010; the corresponding value was slightly higher in 2000 (0.24), as the Greek population increased (+ 3.5 %) while the livestock experienced an opposite trend (-5.3 %) over the inter-census period.
The number of holdings with livestock decreased by 30 %, as about 119 800 farms with animals ceased their activities or sold their livestock between the two reference years. Figure decreased for almost all classes of holdings, with only two exceptions: farms with 50 to 99 LSU, which increased by 21 %, and holdings with 100 to 499 LSU (+15 %). As the fall in the number of livestock was sharper than the decrease in the population of holdings with farm animals, the average LSU per farm increased, from 6.4 LSU per holding in 2000 to 8.8 in 2010.
In Greece, sheep were by far the most common livestock: they indicated the value of 915 680 LSU and represented 38 % of the entire livestock population (+ 5 % compared to 2000). Cattle recorded the second highest value (465 600 LSU) and shared 19.3 % - in absolute terms, their number remained stable over the years. On the contrary, goats experienced a sharp fall (-21 %), though they recorded the third highest value in 2010 (421 320 LSU), which corresponded to 17.5 % of the entire population of farm animals.
In terms of the regional distribution of livestock, the highest number of cattle proved to be recorded within the territory of “Kentriki Makedonia” (140 850 LSU), accounting for 30 % of the cattle population. As regards sheep, the regions of “Dytiki Ellada” (147 880 LSU) and “Thessalia” (119 730 LSU) were found to be the most relevant, sharing 16 % and 13 % of this type of livestock respectively in 2010.
See detailed data at Nuts 2 level for 2010 and 2000
Labour force
As exhibited in Table 6, 1.2 million people were working on the Greek farms in 2010. Although this value indicated a 15.3 % decrease compared to 2000, Greece reported one of the largest agricultural labour forces within the EU-28. If the annual work unit (AWU) is taken into account, the decrease appears sharper (-27.3 %), as figures dropped from 512 860 AWU in 2000 to 372 750 AWU in 2010.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level on holders' age and gender for 2010 and 2000
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level on type of labour force for 2010 and 2000
Management practices
Type of tenure
In Greece, about 2.2 million hectares of agricultural area (62.2 %) proved to be farmed by the landlord in 2010. As presented in Table 7, percentages higher than the national average were recorded in “Ionia Nisia” (82.3 %) and “Attiki” (82.2 %). On the contrary, only 296 610 ha of agricultural area (46.2 %) in “Kentriki Makedonia” were found to be farmed by the person who owned it in 2010.
Further 1.2 million hectares of agricultural land (35.3 %) were farmed by the tenants: the region of “Dytiki Makedonia” (54.7 %) and “Kentriki Makedonia” (52.3 %) recorded shares much higher than the national average, whereas “Attiki” (14.2 %) and Ionia “Nisia” (15.3 %) reported the lowest relative percentages in 2010.
Only a small portion of the Greek agricultural land (2.5 %) was found to be utilised in partnership by the landlord and the sharecropper under a written or oral share-farming contract. As presented in Table 7, in absolute terms, this mode of tenure covered 88 540 hectares. From among the Greek territories, the only notable value was reported by the territory of “Dytiki Makedonia”, where 11.3 % of the agricultural area (25 250 ha) was farmed under this type of tenure.
Irrigation
The total Greek irrigable area indicated the value of 1.3 million hectares and covered 37 % of the entire agricultural area in 2010. The area actually irrigated in the 12 months prior to the survey was found to be slightly smaller (about 1 million hectares), though it still accounted for 30 % of the country’s UAA; from among the other EU-28 countries, Spain (3 million ha), Italy (2.4 million ha) and France (1.6 million ha) recorded higher values, though in relative terms the highest ratio between irrigated area and agricultural land was recorded in Greece (30 %).
Other crops on arable land (23.7 %) and olive plantation (19 %) had the largest share of irrigation water in 2010. According to the Agricultural census 2010, other crops on arable land accounted for 243 550 ha of irrigated land, whereas olive plantation covered further 195 580 ha.
In Greece, 3 763 cubic metres of water were used per hectare of agricultural land in 2010, a value calculated taking into account the area irrigated in the 12 months prior to the survey. It must be pointed out that the water used for irrigating the kitchen gardens and green houses was not included in the calculation.
From among the Greek regions, the territory of “Notio Aigaio” (5 765 cubic metres per hectare of UAA) recorded a value which was much higher than the national average. On the other end of the scale, the region of “Dytiki Makedonia” reported the lowest figure (2 480 cubic metres per ha of UAA).
Animal housing
In Greece, there were 16 790 holdings farming 651 780 heads of cattle in 2010 (see Table 9). The most common type of animal housing proved to be the one where animals are tied stable with solid dung and manure: it was recorded in 5 160 holdings (30.7 %) and accounted for 218 530 places.
The second most frequent type of animal housing proved to be the one were cattle are free to move, with solid dung and liquid manure – 4 220 places (25.1 %) and 194 490 farms – whereas the general “other” category of animal housing was recorded for further 4 180 farms (24.9 %) and accounted for 112 340 places.
Other gainful activities
As exhibited in Table 10, there were 10 450 holdings with other gainful activities in Greece; from among the other EU-28 countries, Slovenia (12 520 farms) and Bulgaria (4 180 holdings) recorded similar values. These farms, which represented 1.4 % of the Greek population of holdings, recorded activities other than farm work, directly related to the holding and having an economic impact on the farm.
Information on other gainful activities was collected by eleven category types depending on their characteristics – one holding could register more than one activity. Processing of farm products (4 970 farms) was the most common extra source of income, followed by contractual work – which could take the form of contractual agricultural work (4 490 holdings) and contractual non-agricultural work (300 farms).
In 2010, “Kentriki Makedonia” reported the highest number of holdings with other gainful activities (1 640 holdings), followed by “Sterea Ellada” (1 380 holdings), “Thessalia” (1 310 farms) and “Anatoliki Makedonia and Thraki” (1 000 farms). On the other end of the scale, the territory of “Ionia Nisia” (170 farms) recorded the lowest values.
See detailed data at NUTS 2 level for 2000
Organic farming
Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It is based on the minimal use of off-farm inputs and on the management practices that restore, maintain or enhance ecological harmony.
In Greece, the population of holdings practicing organic farming increased between 2000 and 2007, indicating the value of 27 700 in 2007. In 2010, however, only 14 530 units were registered accounting for 2 % of the country’s population of holdings. The agricultural area under organic farming followed the very same pattern, increasing to 192 930 ha in 2007, only to decrease to 116 420 ha in 2010; it covered 3.3 % of the country’s UAA in 2010.
See detailed data at Nuts 2 level for 2010, 2007, 2005, 2003 and 2000
Data sources and availability
Methodological notes Greece – Agricultural census 2010
In Greece, the first Agricultural Census was carried out in 1950, after the Second World War. Between 1966 and 1967, when the country was still an associated member of the EU, Greece conducted also the first sample survey of Agriculture and Livestock holdings. Since its accession to the EU in 1981, Greece has been carrying out the FSS every two years, in compliance with EU regulations; the Hellenic Statistical Authority is the responsible body, which collects data through its regional offices.
Survey on agricultural production methods (SAPM)
In 2010 a unique survey was carried out together with the Agricultural census, the Survey on agricultural productions methods (SAPM). This survey collected data at regional level needed to establish agri-environmental indicators as indicated in COM final 508/2006 and to evaluate the greening of the Common agricultural policy.
Data were collected according to the specifications listed in Annex V of the above mentioned regulation, namely data on tillage methods, soil conservation, landscape features, animal grazing, animal housing, manure application, manure storage and treatment facilities and irrigation.
In Greece, the SAPM was conducted as a sample survey: a one-stage stratified random sampling method was employed to select 59 967 units. The response rate indicated the value of 72 % (43 110 holdings) and accounted for 6.3% of the entire population of agricultural holdings.
Reference period
Data on the Agricultural Census 2010 were collected with reference to the 1st of November 2009. However, information on rural development refers to the three years prior to the reference date, whereas data on production methods, crops and labour force refer to the 1st of October 2008 – 30th of September 2009 timeframe.
Threshold for agricultural holdings
In compliance with Regulation 1166/2008 of 19 November 2008, the FSS 2010 targeted all agricultural holdings with at least 0.1 hectares of agricultural land or 0.05 hectares of green houses, regardless of the type of crop. Moreover, farms complying with a set of physical thresholds related to certain types of heads of livestock were also included in the target population of both the FSS and the SAPM.
Common land
Common land is the land that does not directly belong to any agricultural holding but on which common rights apply. It can consist of pasture, horticultural or other land. The treatment of the common land used by an agricultural holding might differ from country to country.
In Greece, common land is generally taken up by permanent grassland and is used as pasture for cattle, sheep and goats: it covered about 1.7 million hectares in 2010.
Geo-reference of the holding
Information on the geographical location of the agricultural holdings was collected through the geographic coordinates of the central points of the locality where the farm is located.
Economic size
From FSS 2007 onwards, the Standard output (SO), a new classification of the economic size of the holding, is used. The SO has replaced the Standard gross margin (SGM) used before. Nonetheless, for comparability reasons, in FSS 2007 both classifications are available.
Volume of irrigation water
The volume of water used for irrigation was calculated for the first time in 2010, within the context of the Survey on Agricultural Production Methods. It was estimated taking into account information on land use, crops water needs, irrigation methods as well as meteorological and soil data. The model also made use of the Geographic Information System technology to account for local variations in cropping, soil and climate. On the contrary, it did not account for the irrigated area of kitchen gardens and green houses, which covered about 0.3 % of the UAA in 2010.
Context
European Commission Rural development policy aims to improve competitiveness in agriculture and forestry, the environment and the countryside, as well as to improve the quality of life in rural areas, and to encourage the diversification of rural economies.
As agriculture has been modernised and the importance of industry and services within the economy has increased, agriculture has become much less important as a source of jobs. Consequently, increasing emphasis is placed on the role farmers can play in rural development, including forestry, biodiversity and the diversification of the rural economy, in order to create alternative jobs and provide environmental protection in rural areas.
The FSS continues to adapt in order to provide timely and relevant data to help analyse and follow these developments.
Further Eurostat information
Publications
- Agriculture, fishery and forestry statistics — Main results – 2010-11 - 2012 edition
- Farm Structure Survey in Greece - 2007 - Issue number 96/2009
- Farm Structure in Greece - 2005 - Issue number 59/2007
- Structure of agricultural holdings - Greece 2003
Main tables
- Agriculture, see:
- Structure of agricultural holdings (t_ef)
Database
- Agriculture, see:
- Structure of agricultural holdings (ef)
Dedicated section
Methodology / Metadata
- Structure of agricultural holdings (ESMS metadata file - ef_esms)
- Methodological Report - FSS 2010 Greece
- Methodological Report - FSS 2007 Greece
Source data for tables and figures (MS Excel)
Other information
- Regulation 1166/2008 of 19 November 2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods and repealing Council Regulation 571/88
- Regulation 1200/2009 of 30 November 2009 implementing Regulation 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods, as regards livestock unit coefficients and definitions of the characteristics
See also
- census Agricultural census 2010
- structure All farm structure articles by country (2007)
- structure statistics Farm structure statistics
External links
Notes
- ↑ A value calculated over the total number of active people aged 15 to 64, as it is reported by the 4th quarter 2010 of the EU Labour force survey (LFS) Population by sex, age, nationality and labour status (1 000)