Agriculture and fisheries statistics

​​​​​​​​Data relating to agriculture and fisheries statistics are collated by the Rural and Marine Sector Team (Department for the Economy) and the Marine Resources Team and the Regulation Team (Infrastructure and Environment). 

Cattle

The below table shows the total number of cattle in Jersey between 2018 to 2024. 

All non-beef cattle are pedigree Jersey cows:

Cattle herd numbers and size

The structure of the dairy industry has changed markedly over the years, trending towards fewer but larger herds. Breed improvements have substantially increased average yields per cow, so that the total milk volume has been maintained and is now produced by fewer animals. ​​

​ Further information can be found at Journals | RJA&HS.

Rural and Marine Support schemes​​

The Rural and Marine Support Schemes are financial support programmes run by the Government of Jersey aimed at promoting the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the Island’s farming and fisheries sectors.

The table below shows the total financial support provided via these Schemes to each sector.

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The 2025 support includes £1.1 million from the Better Business Support Package which was split proportionately between the 2 schemes based on the eligibility for credits related to staff and project funding.

Marine Support Scheme (MSS)

Marine Support Scheme (MSS) recipients

The most recent information relating to commercial fish landings can be found at Marine Resources annual report 2024.

Rural Support Scheme (RSS) recipients

Entry to the Rural Support Scheme requires an applicant to be a registered as either: 

• a bona fide agriculturalist, which is someone who is employed in land dependent primary production, obtaining income from agriculture or horticulture which meets a target level of economic activity of £40,000 per annum
• a smallholder (part time or small-scale agriculturalist), which is a person actively participating in land dependent primary production which meets a reduced level of economic activity as compared with a bona fide agriculturalist (currently £5,000 total gross margin per annum). 

Further information can be found on Rural Support Scheme (RSS)​.

Total number of recipients of the Rural Support Scheme per year.

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Participation in either Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) or one of the UK organic standards, such as the Soil Association (SA), Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G) or Biodynamic Agriculture (BDA)​ is mandatory to access the RSS. 

The Agricultural Statistics Report 2018​ provides detailed information that has subsequently not been captured in subsequent years due to a change in approach.

Agricultural loans

The Agricultural Loans Fund was re-established following the P74/2023 decision and was capitalised to £10 million in early 2026 following a decision by the Minister for Treasury and Resources.

2025: Year-end allocations, income retention and transfers to 2026

Since the re-establishment of the scheme at the end of 2024 to the start of 2026, there have been: 

• 41 expressions of interest received (£16.6 million)
• 11 have been recommended for approval by the Board (£5.7 million)
• 8 have been fully or partially delivered (£3.3 million) 

Further information can be found at Agricultural Loans Fund​. ​