Denmark

Zealand -Denmark Case Study

Zealand, also Seeland, is the largest and most populated island in Denmark with a population of just under 2.5 million. 

The study area is located in the Continental biographical region and the main soil type is Cambisol & Luvisol. The total size of the study area is 703,100 ha of which 337,488 is utilised agricultural area.

 

 

 

 

Key agricultural facts

Zealand Denmark

Eastern Scotland

Mazovia Poland

Közép Mag. Hungary

Toscany Italy

Jaén Spain

Total number of farm holdings 7.850 6.610 302.290 62.080 78.900 254.293
Average farm size [ha] 61 196 7 5 10 18
Farm holdings < 5 ha [%] 4 15 55 94 62 60
Farm holdings  > 50 ha[%] 32 60 1 1 3 6
Owner occupied[%] 72 65 89 36 75 79

  Source:  Eurostat data, 2010

The average farm size in the Zealand is 61 ha, which is greater than the European Union average of 15 ha. There are very few small holdings of less than 5 ha (4%) and a large proportion of holdings over 50 ha (32%).  94% of the agricultural area is arable land and the dominant farming system is cereal production (59% of UAA combined with grass-seed or livestock production (primarily pigs)).  Around 72% of the farmed land is owner occupied which is close to the EU average of 70%.