Farm income for farmers and livestock breeders in France: high inter-annual variability (2010-2022) and major disparities

Abstract

Using data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) for the period 2010 to 2022, this article presents an analysis of French farm income trends and their dispersion. The indicator used for this study is the family farm income per non-salaried agricultural work unit. First, the analysis is carried out for all production types combined. It highlights a high degree of inter-annual variability on the average income of French farmers, with a peak of €55,800 in 2022 and a low point of €21,300 in 2016 (for an average of €34,100 per year over the 2010-2022 period). A typological grid distinguishing 64 boxes is then proposed to demonstrate the influence of three key indicators on the level of income, namely “labor productivity”, “productive efficiency” and “the farm's ability to meet its financial commitments”. Secondly, the analysis is carried out according to production types. While taking into account the differences within each one, this work shows that the average income generated by farms specializing in ruminant production is, in a long-term approach, clearly lower than that obtained in other speculations such as field crops, viticulture or pork production. Finally, by combining the three indicators mentioned above, a method can be used to divide dairy and beef farms into eight “economic performance” classes.