Cereal and oilseed rape harvest - first estimates: 2023

Key Findings

• Industry experts predict an average year for cereal production. Total cereal production is expected to be around 3.0 million tonnes, in line with the ten-year average.
• Variable weather this year likely means mixed harvest outcomes for Scottish farms. Some good wheat yields are being seen but there have been challenges for spring barley.
• Final estimates of the Scottish harvest will be published in December. Final results are collected from farms after the harvest has finished.

All data tables are available to download under supporting documents.

This report provides an early indicator of the Scottish harvest and any harvest problems.

These first estimates are based on advice from industry experts on expected yields. These data are collected in late September while the harvest is still underway. Differences in first and final yield estimates can vary as more information is collected once the harvest has been completed.

Yield estimates are combined with census results for areas grown to estimate total production. The data collected on areas grown is very good. This release is based on provisional crop areas for 2023 and final crop areas will be published in the Results of the June Agricultural Census on 31 October 2023.