UK: Survey shows smallest English barley area since 2014

The results of Defra’s 2025 June Survey of Agriculture, released on August 28, show larger English wheat and oat areas but sharply less barley and oilseed rape.

Defra estimate the area of barley for harvest 2025 at just 742 Kha, down 13% from 2024 and the smallest since 2014.

The area of winter barley, down 7% on the year, is a very similar decline to that reported in AHDB’s Planting and Variety Survey for England and Wales. However, Defra show a sharper fall in the spring barley area. Defra estimate the English spring barley area at 439 Kha, down 16% on the year, though still above 2023’s level (408 Kha).

Winter barley has lost ground from challenging autumn planting conditions and crop economics, as well as the reduced need to get an early entry for oilseed rape. The spring barley area fell back from the high level seen in 2024 when wet conditions forced many growers to favour spring-sown crops.