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• The Essex Coast / 
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• Agriculture

Agriculture

£400 million worth of produce

Farming is a major part of the Essex economy growing £400 million worth of produce and employs over 8,000 people in the county, with many times that employed in the upstream and downstream industries.

Farmers’ care of the environment and public footpaths, many of which are on the tops of coastal sea defences, enhances our landscape and encourages enjoyment of the countryside, both by locals and tourists who then spend money in the local economy.

You can find out more about the importance of our farming industry on the Farming Delivers for Britain website.

Did you know?

• The county produces enough wheat to make 1.3 billion loaves of bread.
• Annually the county produces 150 million eggs and barley to make around 280 million pints of beer every year.
• Almost 5,000 hectares of land is used to grow outdoor vegetables.
• Maldon's salt is renowned worldwide and extraction has taken place in the area since Roman times.