Cereal Quality Survey

Updated 3 November 2026

The Cereal Quality Survey is an annual survey of key measures of wheat and barley quality from the most recent harvest.

Overview of 2026 results

The 2026 AHDB Cereal Quality Survey (CQS) results are now available. The headlines for wheat and barley are below, and you can download the full tables from the link on this page. 

The wheat sample size was 7,827, and the barley sample size was 12,659, both slightly below last year’s survey.

We are grateful to those in the industry who made this survey possible.

Data covers the period up to 25 September 2026.

Wheat

Milling wheat quality in the 2026 survey is exceptionally strong, with group 1 protein content, specific weight and Hagberg Falling Numbers (HFN) all well above milling requirements.

Autumn 2025 drilling conditions were largely favourable. Timely rain and drier spells through September and October allowed most wheat to establish before conditions turned wetter in November. Crops were in good condition in both the November 2025 and March 2026 crop development reports.

Summer 2026 (June–August) was then the UK's hottest on record. England and Wales recorded the driest July on record, with drought affecting much of the Midlands, East and southern England.

The hot, dry conditions notably curtailed yields in much of the country. The below-average yields, along with above-average sunshine levels, likely contributed to increased protein contents this year.

The same conditions also led to one of the earliest harvests in England, since AHDB records began in 2006, with crops gathered quickly and largely free of rain. This supported the record-low average moisture content and record-high average HFN for all wheat samples in this survey.

In contrast, the weather turned wetter during harvest for large areas of Scotland, leading to a drawn-out harvest in the north of the country.

With a record 79% of UK Flour Millers group 1 samples meeting the typical milling specification, more of the domestic crop will be suitable for milling this season. This is expected to minimise import requirements for bread wheat this season.

However, the strong domestic and global supply has put considerable pressure on milling premiums.

Protein content

The average protein content for group 1 varieties in 2026 is 13.8%, which is 0.8 percentage points higher than the milling requirement of 13.0% or greater.

It is also up from the 2025 average of 13.4% and is the highest group 1 level in the historical series back to 1986. The previous peak was 13.7% in 2003.

The protein content of group 2 samples also rose year-on-year, to 12.5% from 12.1% in 2025. The 2026 level is the highest since 2016.

Across all GB wheat samples, the average protein content is 12.8%, level with the record high set in 2017.

Specific weight

The average specific weight for group 1 varieties in 2026 is 81.4kg/hl. This is up from 77.8kg/hl in 2025 and well above the typical milling specification requirement of 76.0kg/hl.

It is also the second-highest level in the series back to 1986 for group 1 varieties, behind only 2022 (81.6kg/hl).

Across all GB wheat samples, the average specific weight is 80.7kg/hl, up from 77.9kg/hl in 2025.

Hagberg falling numbers (HFN)

The average for group 1 wheat varieties is 360 seconds, which is 25 seconds higher than last year and the highest in the historical series.

The standard deviation has also narrowed to 39 seconds from 53 seconds in 2025, indicating less variability in group 1 HFN levels this year.

Across all GB wheat samples, the average HFN of 347 seconds is the highest in the survey’s 53-year history, above the previous peak of 334 seconds in 1990.

Moisture content

The average GB moisture content across all samples submitted is 12.4% in 2026, down from last year’s level of 14.3% and well within specification (15.0%).

This is the lowest GB average since the series began in 2005.

Proportion meeting specification

In 2026, 79% of group 1 milling wheat samples in this survey met a typical group 1 specification: specific weight of 76kg/hl, protein content of 13.0%, and HFN of 250 seconds or more.

This is ahead of the previous record of 52%, set in 2003, by quite a margin. AHDB began reporting the proportion of samples meeting this specification in 2002.

This year, 83% of samples met the 13.0% protein threshold, compared with 96% for specific weight and 99% for HFN.

Additionally, 95% of group 1 samples met the following adjusted criteria: specific weight of 74kg/hl, protein content of 12.0%, and HFN of 200 seconds or more.

This is also an increase from 85% last year.

Figure 1. Proportion of UK Flour Millers group 1 samples meeting a typical and adjusted specification

Diagram showing the proportion of group 1 wheat samples meeting specification in 2026.

Table 1. Proportion of group 1 samples in 2026 meeting or exceeding typical and adjusted specification requirements

CriteriaTypical specification: specific weight of 76kg/hl, protein content of 13.0%, and HFN of 250 seconds or moreAdjusted specification: specific weight of 74kg/hl, protein content of 12.0%, and HFN of 200 seconds or more
Specific weight 96% 98%
Protein content 83% 96%
HFN 99% 100%
Specific weight and Protein content 79% 96%
Specific weight and HFN 95% 98%
Protein content and HFN 82% 96%
All three criteria 79% 95%

Based on 3,063 samples.

Source: AHDB Cereal Quality Survey

This diagram and the data behind it are also in the excel file of the results, which can also be downloaded below.

Barley

It has been a mixed year for barley quality across Great Britain. Improved specific weights and screenings on average for spring barley, contrast with a marked deterioration in screenings for winter barley.

Barley quality and yields were also shaped by the dry, hot season, with spring barley yields particularly badly hit in England.

The dry weather left many crops short of moisture, and the late-June heatwave likely shortened the grain filling periods, especially for winter barley.

This likely contributed to the poor winter barley screenings in this year’s survey and above-average nitrogen contents for all barley.

Nitrogen contents increased from 2025 for spring barley, while for winter barley nitrogen content remained at last year's elevated level.

Wetter weather at harvest for much of Scotland is reflected in higher Scottish moisture contents, with likely higher drying costs.

Poor screenings and higher nitrogen contents in England are likely to cause challenges in meeting malting specifications. While in Scotland, improved screening levels should help support malting barley supply after the fall in cropped area.

However, demand from the malting, brewing and distilling sectors remains curtailed, both domestically and globally, which is likely to weigh against supply constraints. The AHDB early balance sheet forecasts a further 3% decline in human and industrial usage of barley in 2026/27.

Nitrogen content

The survey results show that the average nitrogen content of all GB barley samples in 2026 is 1.71%. This is up from 1.62% in 2025 and the highest since 2018.

For winter barley, the GB nitrogen content averaged 1.78%, unchanged from 2025 and still the joint highest since 2011. This could again pose challenges in meeting some contract requirements.

Spring barley samples had an average nitrogen content of 1.68%, up from 2025’s level (1.60%) and the highest since 2020 (1.69%).

Laureate had an average nitrogen content of 1.70%, while RGT Planet averaged 1.97%.

The nitrogen content for Scotland (all samples) averaged 1.50%, down from last year’s 1.53% but still above the 1.38% seen in 2024.

Specific weight

The average specific weight for all barley across GB is 64.8 kg/hl. This is up from last year (63.7 kg/hl) and the highest since 2022.

However, this hides a contrast.

At 66.2 kg/hl, the average specific weight for winter barley samples is down from last year’s 66.8 kg/hl, though still above 2023 and 2024 levels.

Meanwhile, the average specific weight for spring barley samples is 64.4 kg/hl. This is 1.2 kg/hl higher than last year and also above 2023 and 2024 levels.

Screenings

The survey also shows a clear split between winter and spring barley samples in terms of screenings.

The average percentage of winter barley across GB retained by a 2.5mm sieve was 79.0%, a sharp fall from 2025’s 93.4%. While changes to the methodology for validating samples need to be considered when making comparisons to data before 2022, this suggests this is likely the poorest result since 1998.

Similarly, 5.7% of winter barley passed through a 2.25mm sieve, up from 2.2% in 2025.

Meanwhile, for spring barley samples, 90.7% on average was retained by a 2.5mm sieve. This is a slight improvement on last year’s 90.0% but still below the 94.5–95.5% seen between 2020 and 2024.

In Scotland, where spring barley dominates, the percentage retained recovered to 93.2% from just 88.0% last year.

This remains below the levels seen in 2023 (94.0%) and 2024 (95.3%) but is back above the usual contract requirement of 90%.

Moisture content

The average moisture content across all barley samples in 2026 is 14.3%. This is down from 14.9% in 2025 and level with 2022 as the lowest since the series began in 2005.

Winter barley samples averaged just 12.6%, the lowest on record back to 2005.

The moisture content for Scotland across all samples averaged 16.2%, up from 15.3% last year. The higher moisture contents are likely to add to drying costs for Scottish growers.



Additional information

  • From November 2022, the methodology for validating samples has been updated; please consider this when comparing to historical figures
  • Some samples may not contain results for all quality parameters
  • Some screening values % through 2.25mm may include admixture.

Historical survey results

Download a historical dataset

Historical Cereal Quality survey results dataset (Excel, 143 KB)

Download results by year

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.

All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk  © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved. 

© Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2026 | All Rights Reserved

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Middlemarch Business Park, Siskin Parkway East, Coventry, CV3 4PE

×