2014 OUTLOOK

摘要

Although the financial damage stemming from 2012 and early 2013 remains, better than expected weather during much of this year has allowed some optimism to return to the industry. Andersons, the farm business consultant, considers prospects for 2014.After five years in the doldrums, the UK economy is at last picking up. However, economic growth will be patchy and unbalanced and it will be well into 2015 before the UK economy recovers to the same size it was in 2008, says Graham Redman. While agriculture is not direcdy affected by the wider economy, its fortunes are influenced by it. The sector will welcome the Treasury's forecast (as of December) putting UK growth at 1.4% for 2013 and 2.4% for 2014, substantially better than forecast earlier in theyear, says Mr Redman.