Britain is heading for its worst cereal harvest in about four decades, driven by drought and unusually hot weather during the spring and summer. An analysis published on Wednesday says the cereal harvest is on track to be the weakest since comparable records began in 1984, with crops withering after one of the driest and hottest spring-summer periods on record.
Meteorological data cited by outlets point to extreme conditions in the United Kingdom, including England’s warmest June on record and the UK’s second warmest overall, as well as England and Wales experiencing their driest July on record. Provisional yield estimates discussed in the reporting—produced by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board—indicate declines for key crops including wheat, spring barley and oats.
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit estimates the worsening conditions could reduce Britain’s cereal and oilseed harvest by as much as 2.5 million metric tons compared with earlier forecasts. It also estimates potential lost revenue for arable farmers of up to about £390 million (around $524 million). With 54% of the wheat crop reportedly harvested, the UK’s total cereal and oilseed harvest, if yields hold, is projected at roughly 19.5 million tons, higher than the 2020 figure.
