July 12, 2005

UK wheat-sown areas decrease in 2005

The UK's wheat-sown areas have decreased by 3 percent over the previous season. However, there were hopes that good yields might still produce a strong crop.

Producers switching to plant rapeseeds, or setting aside land in consideration of alternative crops, in response to low cereal prices at the time of planting, were some factors that could have contributed to the decline in area sown.

Wet weather reportedly might also have led to the decline in winter cereal plantings.

On the other hand, UK wheat production could be similar or even higher than last year based on trend yields, according to reports.

At the moment, the UK produces about 15 million tonnes of wheat annually, of which 3 million tonnes are exported.