News Belgium
Belgian agricultural company slightly larger in 2018
The average surface area of Belgian farms in 2018 was approximately 37,2 hectares. That is a growth of 0,6% compared to 2017. This is apparent from new figures from Statbel, the statistical office of Belgium.
The average surface area of a farm in Belgium increased by 2018% to 0,6 hectares in 37,2. In Flanders, the average surface area of the company in 2018 is 26,4 hectares, while in Wallonia it is more than double: 57,3 hectares.
Grain corn increase
The total surface area of grains in Flanders showed an increase of 1,1%, while in Wallonia it decreased by 1,4%. When these 2 areas are offset against each other, the surface area in Belgium has remained virtually stable (-0,3%). This decrease was mainly caused by a decrease in the acreage of winter wheat and winter barley, but this was offset by an increase in the area of grain maize.
The acreage of sugar beets remained stable in 2018. In Flanders, a decrease of 3,3% was recorded, while the acreage in Wallonia increased by 2,1%. In contrast, the area of flax fell by 7,7%; a decrease was seen in both Wallonia and Flanders. Incidentally, an increase in oil-bearing crops is visible, which is partly attributable to the increase in the acreage of soybeans in Flanders.
Potato acreage remains stable
The Belgian potato area remained virtually stable in 2018: +0,5%, or an increase of 477 hectares. Here too, a clear difference is visible between Flanders and Wallonia. In Flanders, the acreage decreased by 2.063 hectares (-4%), while in Wallonia it showed an increase of 2.517 hectares (+6,2%).
Due to the wet weather conditions in the spring of 2018, the surface area of early potatoes decreased by 25,8%. However, this decrease was fully offset by a raise in the total surface area of stored potatoes.
Forage crops more popular
The total area of forage crops in Belgium increased by 2018% in 4,5, accounting for 12.400 hectares. This increase is almost entirely attributable to the increases in the acreage of fodder maize (+8.466 hectares), temporary pasture (+2.000 hectares) and leguminous plants (+1.111 hectares). The surface area of open-air vegetable cultivation remained stable in 2018 at 49.890 hectares.
Kimberly Baker
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