Accredited official statistics

Chapter 7: Crops

Updated 20 February 2024

Summary

Key results for 2022 compared to 2021

• Harvested production of wheat increased by 11% to just over 15.5 million tonnes, primarily due to increased yields. The value of production was 50% higher at £4.1bn.
• Harvested production of barley increased by 6.1% to around 7.4 million tonnes. The value of production was 55% higher at £1.8bn.
• Oilseed rape production increased by 39% to around 1,361 thousand tonnes, due to the increase in planted area compared to 2021 (which was the lowest area since 1986) and average higher yields. The value of production increased by 80% to £877m due to higher prices
• Sugar beet production decreased by 18% to 6.0 million tonnes. The value of production was 6.2% higher at £223m.
• The value of vegetable production increased by 4.8% to £1.8bn.
• The value of fruit production increased by 9.5% to just over £1.0bn.

Cereals

Table 7.1a to 7.1b Total cereals production (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Allan Howsam on +44(0)20 802 66123
Email: [email protected]

Table 7.1a

Production	2020	2021	2022
Area (thousand hectares)	3,038	3,211	3,156
Volume of harvested production	18,962	22,369	24,262
Value of production (£ million)	2,762	4,027	6,182

Table 7.1b

Supply and use	2020	2021	2022
Production	18,962	22,369	24,262
EU Imports	2,802	2,798	2,495
Non-EU imports	2,128	2,041	1,732
EU exports	1,736	1,113	2,043
Non-EU exports	565	117	57
Total new supply	21,591	25,978	26,389
Change in farm and other stocks	-2,687	1,352	1,881
Total domestic uses	24,278	24,626	24,508
Production as % of total new supply for use in the UK	88%	86%	92%

Notes for table 7.1a and 7.1b:

1. All cereal production estimates have been standardised to 14.5% moisture content, with the exception of 2022 when the hot dry conditions led to lower average moisture contents in the harvested crops. 2022 production data will only be adjusted for farms which have reported moisture content above 14.5% for cereals and 9.0% for oilseed rape. Any production data which has been reported with lower moisture contents has not been adjusted.
2. Excludes farm saved seed.

Download the full Crops dataset

In 2022, total cereal production of wheat, barley, oats and minor cereals (rye, triticale and mixed grain) in the UK was just under 24.3 million tonnes, an 8% increase compared to 2021. This was due to higher average yields offsetting a 1.7% drop in the planted area. The value of production increased by 54% to around £6.2 bn due to a combination of higher prices and increased production.

Average yields for wheat, barley and oats were higher in 2022 compared to 2021, and generally above the 5-year average. Winter planting was undertaken under good conditions and on schedule allowing the crops to establish well. Most planned winter sowing was complete by the end of November. Spring crop sowing also progressed well although the dry April hindered establishment on lighter soils and where practical irrigation was used to relieve water stress. Similar to 2021, without the need to sow spring crops to compensate for poor or failed winter crops, growers reverted back to more typical winter plantings. This effect can be seen in the increased winter barley area which was up 6.9% to 433 thousand hectares whereas the area of spring barley fell by 9.9% to 671 thousand hectares. A full breakdown of cereal and oilseed rape production including at the regional level can be found in Defra cereal production.

Harvest 2022 progressed well and finished earlier than the previous 5 years. For most of England and Wales harvest was completed by the end of August and for Scotland and areas of North-East England by mid- September. Harvest was completed before heavy rains arrived later on in September. With the exceptionally hot weather grain required little additional drying this year.

Cereal prices for 2022 were above 2021 values with global markets reacting to the Russia / Ukraine conflict in the spring. Although prices did fall towards the end of the year, they remained higher than the equivalent 2021 levels.

For data and information for cereals on a crop year basis (July to June) please see the official UK cereal balance sheets published by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

Wheat

Table 7.2a to 7.2c Wheat; production, value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Allan Howsam on +44 (0)20 802 66123
Email: [email protected]

Table 7.2a

Production	2020	2021	2022
Area (thousand hectares)	1,387	1,790	1,809
Yield (tonnes per hectare)	7.0	7.8	8.6
Volume of harvested production	9,658	13,988	15,540
Value of production (£ million)	1,544	2,705	4,059
Sales	1,918	1,969	3,316
On farm use	209	253	703
Change in stocks	-583	483	41

Table 7.2b

Prices (£ per tonne)	2020	2021	2022
Milling wheat	172	210	280
Feed wheat	160	191	261

Table 7.2c

Supply and use	2020	2021	2022
Production	9,658	13,988	15,540
EU imports	1,547	1,446	1,066
Non-EU imports	586	614	568
EU exports	377	294	820
Non-EU exports	143	1	44
Total new supply	11,271	15,753	16,310
Change in farm and other stocks	-2,792	1,873	1,623
Total domestic uses	14,063	13,880	14,687
Flour milling	5,924	5,821	5,985
Animal feed	6,942	6,677	7,118
Seed	215	278	280
Other uses and waste	982	1,104	1,304
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK	86%	89%	95%
% of home grown wheat in milling grist	81%	77%	84%

Notes for tables 7.2a to 7.2c:

1. All cereal production estimates have been standardised to 14.5% moisture content with the exception of 2022 when the hot dry conditions led to lower average moisture contents in the harvested crops. 2022 production data will only be adjusted for farms which have reported moisture content above 14.5% for cereals and 9.0% for oilseed rape. Any production data which has been reported with lower moisture contents has not been adjusted
2. Excludes farm saved seed.

Download the full Crops dataset

Harvested production of wheat was 11% higher in 2022 than 2021 at just over 15.5 million tonnes, which represents an above average UK production. This was primarily due to an increase in both the yield and planted area which rose by 9.9% and 1.1%, respectively. The value of production of wheat was 50% higher in 2021 at £4.1bn.

Domestic Human and Industrial wheat demand for flour milling (including starch and bio-ethanol) was 2.8% higher in 2022 compared to 2021 at just under 6 million tonnes, with imports decreasing by 17% to 0.9 million tonnes. Demand from flour millers was similar to last year but with a larger domestic crop, less imports were required. From May 2022 both UK biofuels plants were operational which increased demand for feed wheat. Usage of wheat for animal feed was 6.6% higher at just over 7.1 million tonnes. The percentage of wheat in the cereal ration has now recovered to more typical levels after the drop caused by the poor 2020 harvest reducing availability. The AHDB publish cereal usage statistics which can be found at AHDB Human and Industrial cereal usage.

Total wheat imports in 2021 were 21% lower at 1.6 million tonnes mainly due to greater domestic availability and reduced requirements from the flour milling sector. Exports in 2022 were 864 thousand tonnes compared to 295 million tonnes in 2021, with greater domestic supplies increasing the quantity of wheat available for export. The UK has been a net importer of wheat since 2016.

Barley

Table 7.3a to 7.3c Barley; production, value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless otherwise specified)

Enquiries: Allan Howsam on +44 (0)20 802 66123
Email: [email protected]

Table 7.3a

Production	2020	2021	2022
Area (thousand hectares)	1,388	1,150	1,104
Yield (tonnes per hectare)	5.9	6.1	6.7
Volume of harvested production	8,117	6,961	7,385
Value of production (£ million)	1,062	1,168	1,815
Sales	761	934	1,316
On farm use	286	340	465
Change in stocks	15	-106	34

Table 7.3b

Prices (£ per tonne)	2020	2021	2022
Malting barley	140	190	276
Feed barley	130	163	238

Table 7.3c

Supply and use	2020	2021	2022
Production	8,117	6,961	7,385
EU imports	97	118	78
Non-EU imports	2	5	4
EU exports	1,157	664	892
Non-EU exports	418	108	6
Total new supply	6,641	6,312	6,569
Change in farm and other stocks	76	-657	382
Total domestic uses	6,565	6,969	6,187
Brewing/distilling	1,639	1,807	1,918
Animal feed	4,688	4,951	4,042
Seed	185	164	178
Other uses and waste	53	47	49
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK	122%	110%	112%

Notes for tables 7.3a to 7.3c:

1. All cereal production estimates have been standardised to 14.5% moisture content with the exception of 2022 when the hot dry conditions led to lower average moisture contents in the harvested crops. 2022 production data will only be adjusted for farms which have reported moisture content above 14.5% for cereals and 9.0% for oilseed rape. Any production data which has been reported with lower moisture contents has not been adjusted
2. Value of production excludes farm-saved seed.

Download the full Crops dataset

The value of barley increased by 55% between 2021 and 2022 to £1.8bn. The production of barley increased by 6.1% to 7.4 million tonnes due to increased yields offsetting a 4.0% decrease in area. The area change was driven by a decrease for spring barley of 9.9% to 671 thousand hectares which offset a 6.9% increase in winter barley area to 433 thousand hectares. Growers continued to switch back to winter barley due to more favourable winter planting / crop conditions negating the need for replacement spring crops. Full details of barley production can be found here; Defra cereal production.

Barley exports increased to 898 thousand tonnes in 2022 from just over 770 tonnes in 2021. Most UK exports are to the EU, especially Spain which experienced a poor 2022 barley harvest.

Demand for barley from the brewing, malting and distilling sector continued to recover from the Covid-19 related slump of 2020. Usage from the Brewing Malting and Distilling sector increased to 1.9 million tonnes, an increase of 6.2% on the 1.8 million tonnes in 2021. Demand for barley from the animal feed sector fell by 18% to 4 million tonnes in 2022, due to a general reduction in the animal feed sector and wheat increasing its share of the cereal ration at the expense of other cereals.

Oats

Table 7.4a to 7.4c Oats production, value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Allan Howsam on +44 (0)20 802 66123
Email: [email protected]

Table 7.4a

Production	2020	2021	2022
Area (thousand hectares)	210	200	174
Yield (tonnes per hectare)	4.9	5.6	5.8
Volume of harvested production	1,031	1,123	1,007
Value of production (£ million)	150	148	301
Sales	103	115	182
On farm use	32	36	102
Change in stocks	15	-3	17

Table 7.4b

Prices (£ per tonne)	2020	2021	2022
Milling oats	137	152	222
Feed oats	115	135	200

Table 7.4c

Supply and use	2020	2021	2022
Production	1,031	1,123	1007
EU imports	25	28	22
Non-EU imports	0	0	0
EU exports	62	29	187
Non-EU exports	4	8	7
Total new supply	990	1,114	835
Change in farm and other stocks	29	136	-124
Total domestic uses	961	978	959
Milling	561	505	510
Animal feed	366	439	420
Seed	29	28	24
Other uses and waste	5	6	5
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK	104%	101%	121%

Notes for tables 7.4a to 7.4c:

1. All production estimates have been standardised to 14.5% moisture content with the exception of 2022 when the hot dry conditions led to lower average moisture contents in the harvested crops. 2022 production data will only be adjusted for farms which have reported moisture content above 14.5% for cereals and 9.0% for oilseed rape. Any production data which has been reported with lower moisture contents has not been adjusted
2. Value of production excludes farm saved seed.

Download the full Crops dataset

In 2022, the harvested production of oats decreased by 10% to 1.0 million tonnes driven by a 13% decrease in area offsetting an increase in yield (up 3%). The value of production doubled to £301m due to higher prices.

UK oats usage is dominated by the oat milling sector which increased by 1.0% to 510 thousand tonnes in 2022 from 505 thousand tonnes in 2021. Use of oats in animal feed decreased by 4.3% to 420 thousand tonnes due to reduced demand for animal feed and more wheat being available. Oats have a high fibre content which is useful for ruminant diets and horses but not suitable for poultry. Oat exports increased from 37 thousand tonnes to 194 thousand tonnes - the majority of UK exports continue to be to EU countries. Exports have been strong to Germany, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands on the back of tighter EU supplies. Imports were 6 thousand tonnes lower in 2022 at 22 thousand tonnes.

Straw

Cereal straw production in 2022 was estimated at 9.9 million tonnes, a decrease of 8.1% on the 2021 crop (11 million tonnes). The 2022 harvest season was characterised by a prolonged period of settled, dry weather and high temperatures. Straw yields were better than feared, given the water stress affecting crops, with wheat averaging 3.8 tonnes per hectare, winter barley 3.5 t/ha, spring barley at 2.6 t/ha and oats at 2.7 t/ha.

Despite early concerns over straw yields, they ended up close to the 5-year average and only slightly lower than those seen in 2021. Areas bailed reduced by 4.1% at 2.4 million hectares with bedding sales reducing by 8.1% at 8.3 million tonnes. Percent area baled was similar to the 5-year average, but for all cereals was below that seen in 2019. An estimated 73% of wheat straw, 91% of winter barley straw and 82% of spring barley straw were baled.

Oilseed rape and linseed

Table 7.5a to 7.5b Oilseed rape production; value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: [email protected]

Table 7.5a

Production	2020	2021	2022
Area (thousand hectares)	382	307	364
Yield (tonnes per hectare)	2.7	3.2	3.7
Volume of harvested production	1,038	981	1,361
Value of production (£ million)	360	488	877
sales	459	499	779
change in stocks	-99	-11	98
Prices (£ per tonne)	347	497	644

Table 7.5b

Supply and use	2020	2021	2022
Production	1,038	981	1,361
EU imports	224	449	424
Non-EU imports	279	477	387
EU exports	114	25	49
Non-EU exports	0	0	0
Total new supply	1,426	1,881	2,124
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK	73%	52%	64%

Download the full Crops dataset

Oilseed rape production rose by 39% to 1361 thousand tonnes, with the area planted increasing by 18% at 364 thousand hectares and average yields increasing from 3.2 to 3.7t/ha. The value increased by 80% at £877 million, with prices increasing 29% to £644 per tonne.

UK oilseed rape production has fallen in the last few years from 2 million tonnes per year to just over 1m tonnes, as the trend for recent years of the crop area planted reduced in line with the withdrawal of the neonicotinoid insecticides needed to control the cabbage stem flea beetle. This year has seen tight imported supplies, after the small 2021 oilseed harvest in Canada followed by the disruption to Black Sea supplies since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. This has led to a steep increase in rapeseed values and volatile trading on top of high energy costs for processing.

Table 7.6 Linseed production; value, supply and use

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: [email protected]

Table 7.6 Linseed figures are no longer presented here as the area grown in the UK is so small. Historical data can be found in the datasets (Table 7.6). Area data can be found in chapter 2 (Structure of the industry) Table 2.2 Crop areas and livestock numbers.

Download the full Crops dataset

Sugar beet

Table 7.7a to 7.7b Sugar Beet production and value; Refined Sugar production and supply (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: [email protected]

Table 7.7a

Sugar Beet	2020	2021	2022
Area (thousand hectares)	104	91	87
Yield (tonnes per hectare)	57	81	69
Volume of harvested production	5,894	7,364	6,015
Value of production (£ million)	167	210	223
Sugar content %	16	17	16
Price (average market price (£ per adjusted tonne))	28	29	37

Table 7.7b

All Sugar (refined basis)	2020	2021	2022
Production	906	1,038	818
EU imports	271	194	261
Non-EU imports	428	469	410
EU exports	91	15	33
Non-EU exports	70	25	21
Total new supply	1,443	1,660	1,435
Production as % of total new supply for UK use	63%	63%	57%

Notes for tables 7.7a and 7.7b:

1. Average price for all sugar, including transport allowance and bonus
2. Sugar coming out of the factory in the early part of the year is regarded as being part of production in the previous calendar year.

Download the full Crops dataset

Sugar beet production decreased by 18% to 6 million tonnes. The value of production rose by 6.2% to £223 million with prices increasing by 30% at £37.1t/Ha. The planted area showed a decrease of 3.8% at 87 thousand hectares. Seed and initial growth was positive, however the crop suffered a severe drought in August. Beet moth infestations were seen for the first time in the UK - the dry conditions are an ideal climate for them, feeding on the weakened plants. As a result, yields are expected to be around 25% to 28% less than average. In mid-December the crop suffered a frost event, which was later declared to have triggered a Frost Insurance Payment funded by British Sugar. The Frost event was widespread across the growing areas. Overall yields decreased by 15% to 69t/Ha.

Protein crops (Field Peas and Field Beans)

Table 7.8a and 7.8b Protein crops (Field Peas and Field Beans (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Allan Howsam on +44 (0)20 802 66123
Email: [email protected]

Table 7.8a

Peas for harvesting dry	2020	2021	2022
Area (thousand hectares)	52	61	57
Yield (tonnes per hectare)	3.1	3.2	2.8
For animal feed
Volume of harvested production	94	176	144
Value of production (£ million)	19	39	39
For human consumption
Volume of harvested production	66	20	16
Value of production (£ million)	12	4	3

Table 7.8b

Field beans	2020	2021	2022
Area (thousand hectares)	181	188	212
Yield (tonnes per hectare)	3.0	3.7	3.0
Volume of harvested production	544	694	635
Value of production (£ million)	111	160	178

Notes for tables 7.8a and 7.8b:

1. Peas exclude vining peas
2. Animal feed figures cover only that part of the crop which is assumed to be used for stock-feed including for pets and specialist bird food. It also includes an estimate for those varieties originally grown for human consumption but did not meet the required grade. The percentage utilised for animal feed is variable with typical estimates ranging from 30-60%

Download the full Crops dataset

The overall area of pulses in 2022 showed an increase from those seen in 2021 with an increased bean area offsetting a fall in the pea area. Pulses remained a popular crop option due to greening requirements of the Common Agricultural Policy although restrictions on the use of plant protection products on crops grown on Ecological Focus Areas (EFA) and UK exit from the EU may affect the area planted going forward. Pulses are a good source of energy and protein and can be used in the diets of poultry, cattle and pigs as well as aquaculture and pet food. Pulses are also able to fixate nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil.

The total area of field peas decreased by 6.1% in 2022 to just over 57 thousand hectares. The proportion of production utilised for animal feed was estimated at 90%, similar to 2021. Total production for animal feed decreased by 18% to an estimated 144 thousand tonnes. The production utilised for human consumption decreased by 18% to an estimated 16 thousand tonnes. Field peas yield averaged 2.8t/ha compared to 3.2t/ha in 2021. There was a variation in yields dependant on how well soils retained moisture during the dry spring. Best yields of peas were from the South-West; overall quality was mixed with the hot weather making peas prone to splitting- however there were fewer virus and disease problems this year.

Increased prices were not sufficient to offset the drop in production and the overall value of field peas in 2022 was £38.7 million compared to £39.0 million in 2021 (0.8% decrease).

The area of field beans was 13% higher than last year at 212 thousand hectares. Despite the increased area, lower average yields meant production decreased by 8.5% to an estimated 635 thousand tonnes. Average yields decreased to 3.0t/ha from 3.7t/ha in 2021. The highest yields were seen in the North-East and West-Midlands. Winter beans fared much better than spring beans, aided by good planting conditions throughout autumn 2021 which led to good crop establishment. Whilst the dry spring did adversely affect winter beans grown on lighter soils those on moisture retentive heavier soils performed well. Spring beans planted during cool dry conditions suffered from moisture deficit and lower yields. Bruchid beetle activity was reduced this year across most areas particularly in northern areas with the notable exception of the South-West where activity increased. The quality of field beans was variable, with winter beans tending to have achieved good quality, whilst spring beans tended to be of poor quality.

Average prices increased, offsetting a drop in production and the overall value of field beans in 2022 was £178 million compared to £160 million in 2021 (11% increase).

Fresh vegetables

Table 7.9a to 7.9c Fresh vegetables production, value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: [email protected]

Table7.9a

Production	2020	2021	2022
Area (thousand hectares):	119	113	107
Grown in the open	118	112	107
Protected	0.9	0.8	0.7
Value of production (£ million):	1,676	1,685	1,766
Grown in the open	1,312	1,297	1,395
Protected	364	388	371
Selected crops:
Cabbages	83	73	77
Carrots	185	185	178
Cauliflowers	78	64	58
Calabrese	81	83	112
Lettuces	208	207	240
Mushrooms	144	132	136
Onions	148	154	137
Tomatoes	89	123	101

Table 7.9b

Prices (farm gate price (£ per tonne))	2020	2021	2022
Selected crops:
Cauliflowers	771	691	713
Tomatoes	1,363	1,803	1,409

Table 7.9c

Supply and use	2020	2021	2022
Total production	2,599	2,548	2,401
EU imports	1,892	1,577	1,679
Non-EU imports	321	401	365
EU exports	102	67	83
Non-EU exports	6	2	14
Total new supply	4,704	4,457	4,349
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK	55%	57%	55%

Notes for tables 7.9a to 7.9c:

1. Data for vegetables and salad crops grown in the open is from the June Survey
2. Protected area excludes area of mushrooms

Download the full Crops dataset

The value of vegetable production increased by 4.8% to £1.8bn between 2021 and 2022, with total production decreasing by 5.8% at 2.4 million tonnes. Areas for vegetables reduced by 5% at 107 thousand ha. Domestic production as a percentage of total new supply to the UK for all fresh vegetables was 55% in 2022, down 2 percentage points from 2021.

January was particularly dry with optimal conditions for carrot, parsnip and onion drilling and planting. February was increasingly unsettled, with storms hitting some parts of the country, causing damage. The spring and summer were generally warmer than average and many areas experienced drought especially in the South and East with a new UK record temperature of 40.3^oC recorded in July. The hot, dry summer presented challenges for growers, needing to irrigate crops far more than usual. The increasing costs of all inputs such as energy, diesel, fertiliser and plant protection products have squeezed grower profitability significantly.

Plants and flowers

Table 7.10a to 7.10b Plants and flowers area, value of production and trade (thousand tonnes unless otherwise specified)

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: [email protected]

Table 7.10a

Production	2020	2021	2022
Area (thousand hectares):	12	12	13
Value of production (£ million)	1,394	1,562	1,538
Flowers and bulbs	127	129	165
Pot plants	283	325	285
Hardy ornamental nursery stock	984	1,108	1,088

Table 7.10b

Trade (£ million)	2020	2021	2022
Total imports (exc. Channel Islands)	1,228	1,258	1,534
Bulbs	83	71	95
Cut flowers	643	693	705
Foliage	50	68	69
Indoor plants	164	148	171
Outdoor plants	94	107	148
Trees	104	110	242
Other	90	61	104
Total exports	68	56	49
Bulbs	7	7	8
Cut flowers	26	22	23
Foliage	1	1	1
Indoor plants	10	7	1
Outdoor plants	4	3	2
Trees	3	6	4
Other	18	9	9

Notes for table 7.10a and 7.10b:

1. Areas relate to field areas multiplied by the number of crops in the year and hence differ from those shown in table 2.2.
2. Trade totals may differ to the sum of the components due to rounding.

Download the full Crops dataset

The value of production in the ornamental sector decreased by 1.5% to £1.5bn between 2021 and 2022.

2022 was a challenging year for the hardy nursery stock (HNS) sector, due largely to the prolonged severe drought and heatwave that affected most of the UK for much of the summer and the increased cost-of-living that impacted discretionary spend and so demand, particularly in garden retail sector.

In 2022, hardy nursery stock showed a 1.8% decrease in value at an estimated £1.1 billion.

Container grown nursery stock sales returned to pre COVID-19 levels. Water shortages with the reducing consumer demand because of the drought conditions and increased cost-of-living further exacerbated matters, particularly in the latter part of the year.
Outdoor narcissi, ‘other bulb flowers’ and dry bulb production benefitted from better labour availability, good yield and an increased price per stem / dry bulb in 2022, contributing to increased unit value estimates for most categories. Flowers and bulbs showed a 29% increase in value at an estimated £165m.

The protected ornamentals sector (bedding and pot plants) saw adjustments where some growers reduced production across the board because of the rise in the cost of living and increased cost of materials (pots, growing media etc) which would increase retail prices. The pot plant sector saw a 12% decrease in value at £285m.

Potatoes

Table 7.11a to 7.11c Potatoes production, value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: [email protected]

Table 7.11a

Production	2020	2021	2022
Area sown (thousand hectares)	142	137	127
Area harvested (thousand hectares)	120	112	115
Yield (tonnes per hectare harvested)	46	46	42
Volume of harvested production	5,513	5,127	4,797
For human consumption	3,858	3,697	3,028
Seed	366	365	364
Stockfeed and waste	1,289	1,066	1,406
Sales	5,132	5,255	4,888
For human consumption	3,548	3,883	3,201
Seed	366	365	364
Sold for stockfeed	1,219	1,007	1,323
End year stocks	2,664	2,477	2,304
Change in stocks	310	-186	-173
Value of production (£ million)	821	748	705
Sold for human consumption	633	649	604
Sold for seed (including farm saved seed)	120	120	120
Sold for stockfeed	12	10	13
Change in stocks	55	-31	-33

Table 7.11b

Prices (paid to registered producers (£ per tonne))	2020	2021	2022
Early/maincrop (for human consumption)	179	167	189
Seed	329	329	329
Stockfeed	10	10	10

Table 7.11c

Supply and use	2020	2021	2022
Total production	4,224	4,062	3,391
Imports	2,347	1,828	2,481
Exports	595	431	466
Net trade (negative means net export)	1,753	1,397	2,014
Early/maincrop	49	-58	-116
Seed	-102	-75	-92
Processed (raw equivalent)	1,806	1,530	2,222
Total new supply (raw equivalent)	5,976	5,459	5,406
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK	71%	74%	63%

Download the full Crops dataset

The value of potatoes was £705 million in 2022, a decrease of 5.8% from 2021 (£748 million) with the area planted reducing by 7.6% to 127 thousand hectares. Yields fell by 8.7% to 42t/ha and prices rose by 13% to £189 per tonne. Prices and yield information were previously obtained from the AHDB who stopped producing data midway through in 2021. For 2022 we have estimated yields based on input from sector representatives, devolved administrations and coverage of the sector in the farming press. For prices we made use of the Northern Ireland published potato price figures.

Fresh Fruit

Table 7.12a to 7.12c Fresh fruit production, value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: [email protected]

Table 7.12a

Production	2020	2021	2022
Outdoor fruit area (thousand hectares):	34	33	32
Orchard fruit	23	23	22
Soft fruit	11	10	10
End year stocks	61	106	119
Value of production (£ million):	1,045	922	1,010
Orchard fruit	340	287	377
Soft fruit	705	635	633
Sales	1,044	880	989
Change in stocks	1	42	20
Selected crops:
Dessert apples	158	154	183
Culinary apples	81	43	94
Pears	20	22	15
Raspberries	140	154	136
Strawberries	473	399	426

Table 7.12b

Prices (farm gate price (£/tonne))	2020	2021	2022
Selected crops:
Dessert apples	788	817	890
Culinary apples	405	228	458
Pears	216	360	180
Raspberries	5,598	7,977	7,601
Strawberries	3,145	2,541	2,608

Table 7.12c

Supply and use	2020	2021	2022
Total production	657	577	652
EU imports	1,265	997	1,109
Non-EU imports	2,299	2,330	2,168
EU exports	174	35	35
Non-EU exports	3	2	2
Total new supply	4,043	3,867	3,891
Change in stocks	1	42	20
Total domestic uses	4,043	3,825	3,871
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK	16%	15%	17%

Notes for table 7.12a to 7.12c:

1. Orchard fruit includes field area of commercial and non-commercial orchards only.
2. Stock data relates to apples and pears.
3. Value of production excludes change in stocks for apples and pears
4. Value of production includes glasshouse fruit.
5. Excludes change in stocks for apples and pears
6. EU trade data no longer includes dried fruit.

Download the full Crops dataset

Dry weather at the start of the year gave growers the ability to raise polytunnels for soft fruit earlier in the year and soil conditions were good for planting strawberries, raspberries and orchards. Though some damage to tunnels occurred with the Dudley, Eunice, and Franklin storms in February. Unusually hot days in March and April brought the season forward for both top and soft fruit crops but it left them vulnerable to the late frosts in April which caused some damage. Harvesting of all fruit crops started early due to the continuing effects of the mild spring and the summer heatwave.

The value of fruit production increased by 9.5% between 2021 and 2022 to just over £1 bn, with orchard fruit increasing by 31% to £377m and soft fruit decreasing by 0.3% to £633m.

Domestic production of fresh fruit as a percentage of total new supply increased from 15% to 17% in 2022.

Data Sources and Revisions

Further detailed information on vegetables, plant and flowers and fruit statistics can be found in the annual publication Horticultural Statistics. Some of the more detailed commentary in this chapter is based on data in that report that is not presented here.

Figures for 2022 are provisional and may be subject to revision.

There have been revisions to the data for wheat, barley and oats back to 2020, and some fruit data to 2016.