Cereal and oilseed rape harvest - first estimates: 2019

A sharp rise in wheat yields are expected this year

Wheat yield and production are estimated to have increased over the last year. The area of wheat grown has increased by eight per cent. This, combined with an estimated 36 per cent rise in yield, could lead to a 46 per cent increase in wheat production.

Expert advice indicated the wheat harvest was very good at the start of 2019, however the later half of the year has seen a reduction in quality. Due to the timing of these early estimates, it may be that final estimates published in December will change.

Wheat accounts for

• 30% Total crop production
• 23% Total crop area

Scottish wheat is mainly soft wheats that are used for distilling. In 2018, around 40 per cent of wheat was sold to merchants for malting.

Scotland imports hard wheats for milling (generally used for bread-making) because our climate does not suit hard wheat varieties.