The results of Defra’s 2025 June Survey of Agriculture, released last week, highlight the impact of challenging autumn planting conditions and crop economics, as well as the reduced need to get an early entry for oilseed rape.
Defra’s estimate of the barley harvest 2025 area is just 742 Kha, down 13% from 2024 and the smallest since 2014. The wet autumn saw the winter barley area fall to its lowest since 2020 at 302 Kha.
Following the 524 Kha crop seen in 2024, it is no surprise to see the spring area fall back. At 439 Kha, the English spring barley area was down 16% on the year, though still above 2023’s level (408 Kha).
However, wheat and oats rebounded, oats estimated to hit a four-year high, at 162 Kha. The Defra survey also estimates an increase in the wheat area of 8.8% to 1.5 Mha, the first increase since 2022.
