Agriculture; economic size by size class, type of business

This table provides information on the number of agricultural holdings in the Netherlands, the economic size of the holdings and the utilised agricultural area of these holdings, by class of economic size of the holdings. This information is presented for total Netherlands and for the various (main) farm types. The data for this table are taken from the agricultural census. The agricultural census is part of the combined declaration, which is used, inter alia, for the implementation of the agricultural policy and the enforcement of the Fertilisers Act. The reference date for the number of animals shall be 1 April; the reference date for the crops is 15 May. As of 2020, the SO2017 will apply, based on the years 2015 to 2019 (see also the explanatory memorandum on SO: Standard Yield). As from 2018, the number of veal calves, pigs for meat, chickens and turkeys shall be adjusted in case of temporary vacant status on the reference date. The adjustment shall be based on the previous year’s declaration. The Agricultural census is a structural survey, in which an adjustment in case of temporary vacant status is important for determining the type of holding and the economic size of the holdings. In terms of livestock size, the number of animals at the reference date is important, therefore the number of animals in the livestock tables is not adjusted in the case of temporary vacant status. As a result, there may be differences between the animal numbers in the Agricultural Counting Tables and the livestock tables (see ‘link to relevant tables and articles’). As of 2017, animal numbers are increasingly derived from I & R registers (Identification and Registration of Animals), rather than by direct enquiry in the Combined Declaration. The I & R registers are the responsibility of RVO (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland). Since 2017, cattle numbers are derived from I & R cattle, and from 2018 onwards sheep, goats and poultry are also derived from the relevant I & R registers. The registration of cattle, sheep and goats is carried out directly with RVO. Poultry data are collected from Avined’s designated database Koppel Poultry Information System (KIP). Avined is a branch organisation for the egg and poultry meat sector. Avined transmits the data to the central database of RVO.nl. Due to the transition to the use of I & R registers, a change in the classification will occur for sheep and goats from 2018. As of 2016, information from the Trade Register shall be used for the demarcation of the Agricultural Count. Entry in the Trade Register with an agricultural SBI (Standard farm classification) is the main factor in determining whether there is an agricultural holding. This demarcation is as closely as possible linked to Eurostat’s statistical regulations and the (Dutch) implementation of the concept of active farmer from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The demarcation of the Agricultural census based on information from the Trade Register has a particular impact on the number of holdings, where there is a clear trend break. The impact on areas (except for non-cultivated land and natural grassland) and animal numbers (except for sheep, horses and ponies) is limited. This is mainly due to the type of holdings excluded from the new demarcation (e.g. riding stables, children’s farms and nature management organisations). As of 2010, a new standard for the economic size of holdings and a new business typing will be applied. Until 2009, the economic size of agricultural holdings was expressed in NGE (Dutch Size Unit). As of 2010, this has been replaced by SO (Standaard Opruist). This changes the lower limit for the inclusion of holdings in the publication of the Agricultural census from 3 nge to EUR 3000 SO. For comparability over time, data from 2000 to 2009 have been recalculated on the basis of SO standards and classifications. SO standards are updated every three years. The latest update took place in 2016; the 2010 SO standards were used in the recalculation. Data available from: 2000 Status of the figures: the figures are final. Changes as of 24 February 2022: the final figures for 2021 have been added. When will there be new figures? According to the regular schedule, provisional figures will appear in November and the final figures will follow in March of the year.