Results from the Scottish Agricultural Census: June 2026
Final results from the 2026 June Agricultural Census on land use, crop areas, livestock and the people working on agricultural holdings. Modular results on cattle housing, technology, feed supplements, and peatlands also included.
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Total soft fruit area decreases to 2015 level
In 2026, the total soft fruit growing area was 1,800 hectares, 10% lower than the five-year average and its lowest level since 2015.
Strawberries remained the most widely grown fruit. However, the area has declined by 19% to 900 hectares compared with the five-year average, and has declined every year since 2020. The area used to grow raspberries and blueberries also fell by 5.7% and 24%, respectively.
The area used to grow blackcurrants has continued to increase with 400 hectares in 2026, 13% above the five-year average.
In 2026, 64% of soft fruit was grown under cover in walk-in plastic structures (polytunnels) or glasshouses. This is a smaller proportion than the five-year average (71%).
Figure 6: Area of strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, and other fruit, 2016 to 2026. Note some data for 2022 were estimated based on administrative data and results in adjacent years.
Contact
agric.stats@gov.scot