Published yesterday (13 November 2025), provisional results from our Early Bird Survey (EBS) carried out in early November suggest that harvest 2026 will see a 30 per cent rise in the oilseed rape area from last year's low level, with a small increase in wheat (1per cent), though this will vary across the country. Areas planted with barley and oats are expected to decline. The figures, shown in the table below, have been gathered from 2025 survey data to produce provisional forecasted crop areas.

However, in recent years – including 2025, our base year for this survey – figures for planted and harvested areas have been different, due to extreme weather. It is important to take this uncertainty into account.

Helen Plant, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Senior Analyst, said:

"Oilseed rape is the stand out for 2026, with a 30 per cent rise to 316 Kha. While this is a significant year-on-year rise, the rise is from the forty-two years' low recorded in 2025 and the 2026 projection would still be clearly below 2023's 391 Kha.

"Although the forecasts for autumn drilling conditions were generally good in 2025, the market environment is challenging with lower prices for cereals and lower milling and malting premiums, plus increased costs for all crops. As a result, oilseed rape probably had a more favourable margin outlook compared to other crops, as well as the good yields achieved in 2025. The poor cereal yields of the past two years, along with ongoing commitments to

agri-environment schemes and rotation needs, are also likely to influence 2026 planting plans."