The latest AHDB Harvest Report, published today, highlights the continued extreme variability in crop yields as the harvest season moves into its latter stages. While harvesting progress has been strong – outpacing five-year averages – the combination of lower yields for many growers and falling grain prices throughout the year points to significant financial challenges for arable farms.

Even where yields have exceeded expectations, declining prices are expected to weigh heavily on profitability and cash flow. For those recording low yields, the impact will be even more acute. This year's difficulties come on the back of another tough season in 2024, compounding the pressure on farming businesses.

The wheat harvest is now 92% complete with the average yield estimated at 7.3t/ha, 5.4% below five-year average (which includes two particularly challenging years, 2020 and 2024), and 9.1% below the 10-year average. Despite variability, wheat quality – particularly milling quality – remains positive, with strong proteins and good specific weights reported.

The spring barley harvest is 68% complete. Early promising results from southern England have given way to more mixed outcomes further north, with reports of crops failing to make malting quality due to high screenings. In Scotland, an estimated 29% of the crop is harvested.

The oats harvest is 89% complete. Yields are currently averaging 4.8t/ha, down 10% on the five-year average, with marked variation. Winter oat quality has generally been good, but spring oats have struggled, with both lower yields and specific weights.

Winter barley and oilseed rape harvests were completed earlier in August, both ahead of five-year averages.

Overall, harvest progress is running significantly ahead of recent years, with most winter cereals now cut, and many farmers expected to finish two weeks ahead of a typical season.

Helen Plant, AHDB Senior Analyst, said: "The 2025 harvest has been characterised by extreme variability – between farms, regions, and even within fields. For many, yields are well below average, though others are recording stronger results. However, across the board, lower grain prices this year will limit the financial returns. Coming after a difficult 2024, this is another challenging year for arable farmers. Despite this, harvest progress has been rapid, and the quality of wheat is a positive point as the season advances."

The fifth AHDB Harvest Report 2025 will be published on Friday 5 September.