Cereal and oilseed rape harvest - first estimates: 2019

Winter barley yield and production expected to rise

Winter barley area has increased in 2019 due to more favourable weather conditions experienced over the winter months compared to the previous year.

This is predicted to lead to an 18 per cent increase in yield and a 53 per cent rise in production. Industry experts have stated that while yields may be higher this year, the quality of the winter barley crop has been disappointing and may only just meet the specification required for malting.

Winter barley accounts for

• 12% Total crop production
• 11% Total crop area

Barley is as a key ingredient for the Scottish whisky industry, with 54 per cent of the 2018 crop sold to merchants for malting.

However, around 40 per cent of barley was used as animal feed.