Agriculture in Iceland

With only 1 percent of the total land area cultivated, most farm production goes for domestic consumption. Primary agricultural products exported include cheese and meat, especially tender highland lamb. Partly due to the quality of the pasture, the lamb is of a very high culinary quality, combining excellent flavour with a minimum surplus fat content - ideal for today's health-conscious public. Exports of traditional agricultural products were USD 15 million in 1991. In addition, Icelandic firms exported farmed salmon and valued at 12 million USD. Expectations of a rapid growth in aquaculture have not materialized, as the price of salmon in recent years has been below production costs in Iceland.