Census of Agriculture, 2009

The publication of the Agricultural Census 2009 gives users a comprehensive picture of information, which summarizes the main trends in the structure of farms and agriculture production systems in the last decade. We believe that its reading might contribute to the promotion of the debate and reflection on the state of Portuguese agriculture, in particular in the negotiation of the CAP after 2013 and of the problems of selfsufficiency, reflection of the dependence on imports, volatility of commodity agricultural prices and the continued increase in prices of inputs. Some of the most important findings for year 2009
comparing with 1999 are:

• One of every four farms had ceased its activity but the surface of farms still occupies half of the country;
• The small-sized farms continue to prevail but 2/3 of the Utilized Agricultural Area is now managed by farms larger than 50 hectares of utilized agricultural area;
• Increase of Utilized Agricultural Area in more than 2.5 hectares, from an average of 9.3 hectares to about 12 hectares, as a result of the absorption of the surfaces of small farms by the larger ones;
• The number of holdings as a legal entity (agricultural enterprises) grew 23% and 27% of the Utilized Agricultural Area are managed by them;
• Change of the agricultural landscape for more extensive agricultural production systems, with permanent pasture occupying almost half of the Utilized Agricultural Area;
• Enhanced surface reduction of grain cereals, in about 244 thousand hectares;
• Decrease of 23% in irrigated surface;
• Doubling the average size of cattle and pigs herds;
• Increase of 10% in the number of tractors;
• Agricultural family population loses 443 thousand persons but still represents 7% of the resident population;
• Women account for one third of farmers and increased their importance in 8 pp.;
• The average age of farmers increased by 4 years.