New data show 10% fall in tenanted area from 2010 to 2021
© Andrew Kearton/Alamy Stock Photo Defra census data reveal continued changes in land holdings, tenures and areas in England, with the most marked change being a 10% fall in the area of tenanted land in the 11 years to 2021.
Commercial holdings are those having more than 5ha of arable land, permanent grassland and permanent crops, or more than 1ha of fruit, berries, vineyards and nurseries.
Livestock holdings have more than 10 head of cattle, 50 head of pigs or 10 sows, 20 head of sheep or goats, or more than 1,000 head of poultry.
See also: Land market – poor grassland and prime arable set to lead growth in 2023
Agricultural holdings – England |
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Total area of agricultural holdings (hectares) and number of commercial holdings in England by type of tenure at 1 June each year |
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Number of commercial holdings |
2010 |
2021 |
Change |
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Solely owned |
54,761 |
57,081 |
+4% |
|
Solely rented |
15,543 |
14,562 |
-6.3% |
|
Mixed – majority rented* |
13,497 |
12,922 |
-4.3% |
|
Mixed – majority owned** |
19,581 |
19,449 |
-0.7% |
|
Tenure not declared |
2,067 |
1,206 |
-41.7% |
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Total commercial holdings |
105,449 |
105,220 |
-2% |
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Total area on agricultural holdings |
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Solely owned |
3,028,075 |
3,239,264 |
+7% |
|
Solely rented |
1,513,979 |
1,350,351 |
-10.8% |
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Mixed – majority rented* |
1,771,686 |
1,761,715 |
-0.6% |
|
Mixed – majority owned** |
2,558,670 |
2,606,921 |
+1.9% |
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Tenure not declared |
14,879 |
17,298 |
+16.3% |
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Total area on agricultural holdings |
8,887,289 |
8,975,549 |
+1% |
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Source: Defra Census June 2021. *Mixed – majority rented is where more than 50% of the land on the holding is rented. **Mixed – majority owned is where 50% or more of the land on the holding is owned |
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