UK barley yield
UK barley yield stood at 5.9 tonnes per hectare in 2025, according to GOV.UK official statistics. It is one of the indicators in the Farm income and yields table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1948 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Farm income and yields table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cereal and oilseed yields, United Kingdom (Defra) | |||||||||||
| Barley | 5.9 | 5.94 | 6.1 | 6.62 | 6.05 | 5.85 | 6.92 | 5.72 | 6.09 | 5.93 | |
| Oats | 4.86 | 5.41 | 5 | 5.74 | 5.63 | 4.91 | 5.93 | 4.97 | 5.43 | 5.79 |
Understanding UK barley yield
The physical mass of harvested barley grain obtained per unit of cultivated land area across the United Kingdom is quantified in this metric, expressed as tonnes per hectare. Distinguished from wheat and other cereal sibling series by distinct botanical varieties, growing cycles, and climatic tolerances, the calculation divides total harvested production by the corresponding harvested area. Both winter and spring sowing methods are factored into the aggregate productivity measure, reflecting different agronomic profiles within the same grain category.
Interpreting annual movements requires caution because weather events during the growing and harvesting seasons generate considerable volatility that can obscure underlying productivity shifts. Early estimates rely on provisional sample surveys and are subject to subsequent revision as more complete crop monitoring data become available. Comparing this series directly against non-cereal output measures can be misleading due to fundamental differences in biological growth habits and pest vulnerabilities. Annual period-on-period evaluations remain standard for filtering out weather-driven distortions compared to shorter intervals.
Frequently asked questions
- How does this barley metric differ from wheat yield figures?
- It specifically tracks barley grain mass per hectare, separating its distinct cultivation requirements, pest pressures, and weather sensitivities from wheat production.
- Are winter-sown and spring-sown crops combined here?
- Yes, both sowing types are aggregated into a single national productivity measure for the grain.
- Why might early harvest figures be revised later?
- Initial estimates rely on provisional farmer surveys before full weighing and quality assessments are finalised.