Drought could lead to one of England’s worst barley harvests

England’s barley harvest in 2026 could be one of the worst on record due to prolonged heat and drought. According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), barley yields last month were around 19% below the five-year average.

Weather conditions have affected not only yields but also grain quality. Producers say a second consecutive season of dry weather has made barley production more difficult, while limited irrigation capacity has further increased crop losses.

Lower supply could raise costs for the brewing industry, which depends on barley supplies. Market participants say that if crop conditions deteriorate further or supply problems emerge in other countries, it may become more difficult to cover the shortfall with imports, potentially increasing procurement costs.

The summer of 2026 was the hottest on record in the UK, according to preliminary Met Office data. Temperatures in England reached 38.1°C in August, while June had already been confirmed as the hottest since records began in 1884.

At the same time, hot and sunny weather has benefited vineyards. English sparkling wine producers expect one of their earliest grape harvests, with Nyetimber planning to start picking on September 14 — its earliest harvest since 1988. Despite a slightly smaller crop due to spring frosts and drought, higher sugar levels in the grapes could support good wine quality.

Tags: weather conditions, barley, drought, England