UK winter cereal conditions decline after drier April: Grain market update

AHDB’s latest crop development report shows lower UK crop condition scores than a month ago for winter wheat and winter barley, and to a lesser extent, winter oats.

Rainfall was markedly varied in April across the country, with some locations getting more, while levels were much lower than usual down the eastern side of England.

Across the UK by Monday 27 April 2026:

• 75% of winter wheat crops are in a good or excellent condition, down from 82% in late March.
• 70% of winter barley crops are in a good or excellent condition, down from 85% in late March.
• 81% of winter oat crops are in a good or excellent condition, down from 88% in late March.

With the variation in rainfall, crop conditions also vary across the country. However, overall the proportions rated good or excellent are still higher than last April and April 2024 (Figure 1).

Figure 1. UK* winter crops in good or excellent condition

Meanwhile, winter oilseed rape crops are generally maintaining their condition.

Across the UK, the proportion of crops rated good-to-excellent is unchanged from last month at 84%. This is also notably above last year, when 59% of winter oilseed rape was in good-to-excellent condition, and above the scores for 2022, 2023 and 2024.

There is clear variability in crop development, but overall, winter crops remain more forward than last year.

Spring drilling almost complete

Drier weather helped planting progress and spring drilling is largely complete nationwide. Across the UK, just 1% of spring wheat, 3% of spring barley and 4% of spring oat crops are yet to be planted or emerge. 

However, in Northern Ireland, there was only a very short drilling window before early April due to wet weather, which limited progress. A major drilling push is underway following improved conditions.

The establishment of all crops has been slow and uneven due to dry soil conditions in many areas of the UK. There is also a wide variation in the development of spring crops.

Prospects

Rainfall levels in the coming weeks will be important to how both winter and spring crops develop. Today’s forecasts from the Met Office show potential for more unsettled weather and showers in May, which would be very welcome.

Our next report is due on 29 May.

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