LONDON, ENGLAND — The United Kingdom’s (UK) wheat and barley production for the 2021-22 marketing year is benefitting from favorable weather, increasing quality of the crops, according to a report from the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The weather combination of a cold, dry April and wet May followed by warmer weather in June and July with heavy showers boosted crop development and condition. 

The USDA projects UK wheat production to total 15 million tonnes in 2021-22, which, if realized, would be 5 million tonnes larger than the wheat crop produced in the previous marketing year. 

According to the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB)’s Crop Development tool, two-thirds of the winter wheat crop is reported as good to excellent with very little described as poor or very poor. About 50% of the spring wheat is rated in good to excellent condition.  

Despite a lower planted area, UK barley production for 2021-22 is expected to be 7.2 million tonnes. About two-thirds of winter barley is also reported to be in good to excellent condition, while the spring crop that established well when planted in March and April is rated in good condition.