Britain is set to increase the area planted with wheat

The area of land under wheat in the UK will increase year-on-year by 2025, according to a survey by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), online publication Agriland reported Nov. 22.

The forecast for the 2025 crop showed wheat and oats acreage increasing, while winter and spring barley and oilseed rape acreage will decrease from 2024. These figures are a summary of the data on farmers’ actions and intentions collected in early November.

The total area under wheat is forecast to increase by 5% – after acreage had to be drastically reduced last fall due to difficult weather. In contrast, much less rapeseed will be sown than previously – down 17%. This reduction means the lowest level in the UK for 42 years. The final area could be even smaller – depending on pest damage, especially cabbage flea, and weather conditions.

Historically, when oilseed rape acreage declines, grain legumes tend to grow to fill the crop gap. However, industry analysts say this is not the case in the new season, as grain legume crops are down about 7% on last year’s crop.

Tags: UK, wheat