Eurostat: Bulgaria is first in Europe on growth of arable lands

Bulgaria ranks first in Europe, in terms of growth in arable lands for the period 2003-2010, according to data of the EU statistical service Eurostat. In the past seven years, cultivated fields in our country increased by 24.7%, and with this result Bulgaria tops the ranking of the EU members. Latvia comes next with a growth of 19.9%, and Estonia ranks 3^rd with 18%. Agricultural areas under cultivation decreased most substantially in Cyprus, by - 24.3%. In Slovakia, the recorded decline was of 9.4%, and in Austria - 8%.

There is a reduction of nearly 20% in the number of farms in the entire European Union, which is a sign of their consolidation. Only in Malta and in Sweden, there was an increase in the number of farms, respectively by 17.4% and by 4.4%. In seven years, the average farm area has increased by two hectares and now the average European farm has 14 hectares.

Bulgaria ranks second in the European Union, in terms of reduction in the number of farms, over the past seven years - these dropped by 44.2%. The investment funds for agricultural land, which were set up in Bulgaria contributed to the consolidation of the agricultural business. According to Eurostat, by the end of 2010 Bulgarian farms numbered 371,100. Only Estonia ranks before us, in terms of drop in the number of farms, where the reduction is of 46.6%.

Romania is the country with the largest number of farms in the EU - 3.9 mln. Their number has also decreased by 14%. In Italy, the agricultural property is fragmented as well and there are 1.6 mln farms.

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