This year’s UK cereal harvest has been described as “disappointing,” with yields for wheat, spring barley, and oats falling well below historical averages amid extreme weather conditions, according to recent data from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Winter wheat harvests have finished with an average yield of 6.9 tonnes per hectare, slightly higher than projections made in August but still below the national 10-year average of 7.9 tonnes per hectare. This represents an 11% decline compared to the five-year average. Spring barley likewise faced considerable challenges, with yields averaging 4.8 tonnes per hectare—a 17% decrease from the five-year norm. Oats also saw yields drop by 14% to 4.6 tonnes per hectare. In contrast, oilseed rape crops yielded positively, averaging around 4 tonnes per hectare, approximately 19% above the typical five-year average.

The AHDB report highlighted significant regional variation in yields, with some farms and northern areas achieving results near or above long-term averages, while others, particularly in more drought-affected zones, recorded substantial decreases. Wheat yields in particular ranged widely, from 3.9 to 11.5 tonnes per hectare depending on location and farm conditions. The quality of the harvest was also impacted by persistent dry conditions.

Anthony Hopkins, director of cereals and oilseeds at AHDB, pointed out that this marks the second or third consecutive difficult harvest period for many farmers. He emphasized that alongside yield reductions, declining crop quality has posed additional challenges, further exacerbating financial pressures on arable farmers amid rising input costs.

The UK’s weather this year was marked by record-breaking heatwaves in May and June, followed by an exceptionally dry July, leading to drought declarations across much of Wales and parts of England. This follows a dry spring and comes after similarly severe climate extremes in previous years, phenomena described as “weather whiplash.” These conditions have had a pronounced impact on crop development and yields nationwide.

Helen Plant, a lead analyst at the AHDB, noted the variability in harvest results, with factors such as soil type, planting dates, preceding crops, and local weather influencing final performance. She underscored that although yields improved somewhat in northern regions as harvest continued, the overall outlook remains difficult for many growers. Variability in crop quality also is expected to present challenges for grain storage and marketing in the months ahead.

The data and assessments from AHDB paint a picture of a challenging environment for UK arable farming as climate-related weather extremes increasingly affect crop production and economic stability within the sector.