First 2021 GB wheat production forecast: Grain Market Daily

• UK feed wheat futures (Nov-21) closed yesterday at £169.50/t, a gain of £2.55/t on the day. Similarly old crop (May-21) futures gained £2.35/t, to close at £199.00/t.
• UK futures largely followed the direction of Paris milling wheat futures. The Dec-21 Paris milling wheat futures contract closed yesterday at €202.00/t, up £2.25/t.
• For wheat, dry weather in the Northern Hemisphere continues to be a key driver of markets. The EU and US look set for normal to low levels of rainfall in the coming weeks. With soil moisture in both regions already below normal.
• Finally, for UK prices, currency has been a key influencer, sterling has fallen 2.2% against the euro since reaching its most recent peak on 5 April.

Last week we published our latest AHDB Crop Development Report, the report details the condition of crops in Great Britain. Using the report, we can produce an indicative forecast for 2021/22 wheat production.

In order to produce the estimates the following rules have been applied for estimating yield from crop condition ratings;

• Excellent – five year maximum yields
• Good – five year average yields plus 5%
• Fair – five year average yields
• Poor – five year average yields less 5%
• Very poor – five year minimum yields
• Unplanted or non-emerged wheat is considered to be average.

Using these values suggests GB wheat production could reach 14.57Mt, well ahead of last year’s poor crop and 6.6% ahead of the five year average. With tight production in 2020/21 and minimal carry out stocks, a 14.57Mt crop will only go some way to fulfilling demand and imports will be required.

Demand for wheat next season is likely to be strong, with the return to production at Vivergo in 2022. An important area in which to consider the supply of wheat is the North of England and Yorkshire. With strong demand in the region from bioethanol, starch, milling and feed, the area is often in deficit.

Wheat production in Yorks., the North East and North West is provisionally forecast at 2.57Mt, just 68Kt ahead of average. If there are production issues between now and harvest we may need to see delivered premiums stretch to pull wheat north or drag in imported wheat.

With this in mind, we also need to pay very close attention to the East Midlands and East of England. Production in those two regions is forecast at 6.78Mt, ahead of the five year average of 6.14Mt. If premiums extend in the North this wheat will be pulled up the country.

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