New figures released by the U.K.'s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) show that increased production and prices boosted farming income to £5.6 billion (US$8.8 billion) last year. 

Environment secretary Elizabeth Truss says the latest figures underlines that agriculture is a powerhouse of the U.K. economy.

"Our farming industry is showing that it is leading the way in producing top quality food that is desired across the world," she says in a release.

"Our farming sector employs over 400,000 people and their success is helping us deliver the government's long term economic plan.

"We know British consumers value British food but we want U.K. farming to be a world-leader, exporting quality products far and wide as well as thriving on the home front."

Total income from farming increased by £743 million (US$ 1.1billion) between 2012 and 2013, as the industry stepped up its output in certain categories including potatoes where there was a 38% increase in the value to just over £1 billion (US$1.5 billion).

Output for fruit and fresh vegetables rose by a slightly lower margin of 4%, reaching levels of £598 million (US$934.3 million) and  £1.326 billion (US$2.07 billion) respectively.

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