UK barley area falls to a 16-year low

The area under barley in the UK for the 2026 harvest has fallen to 930,000 hectares, down 12% from last year and the lowest level since 2010. The main reasons for this were a significant reduction in spring barley plantings amid weaker price prospects, lower quality premiums and reduced demand from the brewing, malting and spirits industries.

In contrast, the area under wheat in the UK increased by 3% to 1.71 million hectares, according to the AHDB survey. The largest expansion in plantings was recorded in the south-east and south-west of the country, while some northern regions saw a reduction due to uncertainty about demand from bioethanol producers.

At the same time, rapeseed plantings increased by 49% year-on-year to 358,000 hectares after several difficult seasons. The growth was driven by better financial results for the crop in 2025 and more attractive profitability indicators compared to cereals. However, farmers are still cautious about rapeseed due to the risks of pest damage and unstable yields.

The area under oats also fell by 15% to 168 thousand hectares. Overall, the area under cereals in the UK decreased by 4% to 2.81 million hectares – the lowest figure since 2006. At the same time, the combined area of ​​cereals and oilseeds increased slightly due to renewed interest in rapeseed.

Analysts note that British farmers are actively reviewing the structure of crop rotations due to low grain prices, rising production costs, changes in demand and weather factors. The final market balance will largely depend on the yield, grain quality, and demand development during the season, which will determine further price dynamics.

Tags: barley, UK, wheat, rapeseed, sown area, oats