Small independant farmers are disappearing. Mechanization, new technologies and scientific agronomic research are making for higher yields. More is being produced on each field. Cowsheds are becoming bigger. Belgian begonias are famous, especially in the United States.
Azaleas are also a highly valued export.
For crops such as cereals, potatoes, sugar beet, flax, hops and tobacco, the area of cultivated land shrunk from 705,000 ha in 1950 to 486,000 ha in 1993. Over the same period though, production rose from 7 to 11 million tons. In 1955, fish consumption amounted to 9.2 kg per inhabitant. Now, in 1992, our eating habits have changed, new methods of refrigeration preserve fish more efficiently, distribution is quicker and our consumption totals 19.1 kg. European Union policy plays a key role in agriculture and fishing.