2 out of 3 farms rented agricultural land

The share of holdings renting agricultural area has increased continuously over a long period. In 1979 this percentage was 31 and as much as 65 in 2010. Half of the holdings which rented agricultural area rented between 1 and 49 percent of the area in 2010. 44 per cent of the holdings which rented agricultural land had between 2 and 4 lease agreements. The average number for all holdings with rented agricultural land was 3.6 lease agreements.

4.2 million decares, or 42 per cent, of the agricultural area in use was rented land in 2010. In 1989 and 1999 this proportion was 23 and 31 per cent respectively. There are great regional variations. In 2010 the proportion of rented land among counties varied from 32 per cent in Nord-Trøndelag to 59 per cent in Aust-Agder.

An agricultural holding may own and/or rent agricultural land in more than one municipality. A table in the Statbank shows the agricultural area in use distributed by two ways; by the municipality where the area is physically located, and by the municipality where the headquarter of the holding is located.

Tables:

• Table 1 Holdings which rent agricultural area and size of rented area, by county (Corrected 29 February 2012)  
• Table 2 Holdings which rent agricultural area, by number of leases, by county 2010