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Winter barley harvest has started in some areas of the UK with yield and quality said to reasonable.

Combines started rolling this week, ahead of the predicted start date, following a period of hot, dry weather which has dried crops right down. According to the latest data from HGCA, specific weights are much improved on those of 2012.

Despite an early start to the winter barley harvest, desiccation of rapeseed seems to be just underway with sprayers and swathers just starting to head out in the north of England.

Wheat looks to be some way off across most of the country although plantings are said to be at there lowest level since 2001 after a tricky sowing period last autumn. According to HGCA data, wheat plantings are said to be down 26% in the south west and 25% in the North East compared to last year.

The spring barley acreage is up greatly, 307% in the northern counties followed by 293% in the West Midlands. With a large proportion of barley coming onto the market and not as much wheat, some expect the wheat price to rise but UK buying has afforded more opening stocks of wheat, with imports 138kt ahead of last season according to DEFRA and there is one month of the season still left.

It will remain to be seen the price implications last season has had on this years crop however there is going to be no shortage of spring barley.