Accredited official statistics

Chapter 7: Crops

Updated 20 February 2024

Summary

Key results for 2022 compared to 2021

  • Harvested production of wheat increased by 11% to just over 15.5 million tonnes, primarily due to increased yields. The value of production was 50% higher at £4.1bn.
  • Harvested production of barley increased by 6.1% to around 7.4 million tonnes. The value of production was 55% higher at £1.8bn.
  • Oilseed rape production increased by 39% to around 1,361 thousand tonnes, due to the increase in planted area compared to 2021 (which was the lowest area since 1986) and average higher yields. The value of production increased by 80% to £877m due to higher prices
  • Sugar beet production decreased by 18% to 6.0 million tonnes. The value of production was 6.2% higher at £223m.
  • The value of vegetable production increased by 4.8% to £1.8bn.
  • The value of fruit production increased by 9.5% to just over £1.0bn.

Cereals

Table 7.1a to 7.1b Total cereals production (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Allan Howsam on +44(0)20 802 66123
Email: Crops-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Table 7.1a

Production 2020 2021 2022
Area (thousand hectares) 3,038 3,211 3,156
Volume of harvested production 18,962 22,369 24,262
Value of production (£ million) 2,762 4,027 6,182

Table 7.1b

Supply and use 2020 2021 2022
Production 18,962 22,369 24,262
EU Imports 2,802 2,798 2,495
Non-EU imports 2,128 2,041 1,732
EU exports 1,736 1,113 2,043
Non-EU exports 565 117 57
Total new supply 21,591 25,978 26,389
Change in farm and other stocks -2,687 1,352 1,881
Total domestic uses 24,278 24,626 24,508
Production as % of total new supply for use in the UK 88% 86% 92%

Notes for table 7.1a and 7.1b:

  1. All cereal production estimates have been standardised to 14.5% moisture content, with the exception of 2022 when the hot dry conditions led to lower average moisture contents in the harvested crops. 2022 production data will only be adjusted for farms which have reported moisture content above 14.5% for cereals and 9.0% for oilseed rape. Any production data which has been reported with lower moisture contents has not been adjusted.
  2. Excludes farm saved seed.

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In 2022, total cereal production of wheat, barley, oats and minor cereals (rye, triticale and mixed grain) in the UK was just under 24.3 million tonnes, an 8% increase compared to 2021. This was due to higher average yields offsetting a 1.7% drop in the planted area. The value of production increased by 54% to around £6.2 bn due to a combination of higher prices and increased production.

Average yields for wheat, barley and oats were higher in 2022 compared to 2021, and generally above the 5-year average. Winter planting was undertaken under good conditions and on schedule allowing the crops to establish well. Most planned winter sowing was complete by the end of November. Spring crop sowing also progressed well although the dry April hindered establishment on lighter soils and where practical irrigation was used to relieve water stress. Similar to 2021, without the need to sow spring crops to compensate for poor or failed winter crops, growers reverted back to more typical winter plantings. This effect can be seen in the increased winter barley area which was up 6.9% to 433 thousand hectares whereas the area of spring barley fell by 9.9% to 671 thousand hectares. A full breakdown of cereal and oilseed rape production including at the regional level can be found in Defra cereal production.

Harvest 2022 progressed well and finished earlier than the previous 5 years. For most of England and Wales harvest was completed by the end of August and for Scotland and areas of North-East England by mid- September. Harvest was completed before heavy rains arrived later on in September. With the exceptionally hot weather grain required little additional drying this year.

Cereal prices for 2022 were above 2021 values with global markets reacting to the Russia / Ukraine conflict in the spring. Although prices did fall towards the end of the year, they remained higher than the equivalent 2021 levels.

For data and information for cereals on a crop year basis (July to June) please see the official UK cereal balance sheets published by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

Wheat

Table 7.2a to 7.2c Wheat; production, value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Allan Howsam on +44 (0)20 802 66123
Email: Crops-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Table 7.2a

Production 2020 2021 2022
Area (thousand hectares) 1,387 1,790 1,809
Yield (tonnes per hectare) 7.0 7.8 8.6
Volume of harvested production 9,658 13,988 15,540
Value of production (£ million) 1,544 2,705 4,059
Sales 1,918 1,969 3,316
On farm use 209 253 703
Change in stocks -583 483 41

Table 7.2b

Prices (£ per tonne) 2020 2021 2022
Milling wheat 172 210 280
Feed wheat 160 191 261

Table 7.2c

Supply and use 2020 2021 2022
Production 9,658 13,988 15,540
EU imports 1,547 1,446 1,066
Non-EU imports 586 614 568
EU exports 377 294 820
Non-EU exports 143 1 44
Total new supply 11,271 15,753 16,310
Change in farm and other stocks -2,792 1,873 1,623
Total domestic uses 14,063 13,880 14,687
Flour milling 5,924 5,821 5,985
Animal feed 6,942 6,677 7,118
Seed 215 278 280
Other uses and waste 982 1,104 1,304
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK 86% 89% 95%
% of home grown wheat in milling grist 81% 77% 84%

Notes for tables 7.2a to 7.2c:

  1. All cereal production estimates have been standardised to 14.5% moisture content with the exception of 2022 when the hot dry conditions led to lower average moisture contents in the harvested crops. 2022 production data will only be adjusted for farms which have reported moisture content above 14.5% for cereals and 9.0% for oilseed rape. Any production data which has been reported with lower moisture contents has not been adjusted
  2. Excludes farm saved seed.

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Harvested production of wheat was 11% higher in 2022 than 2021 at just over 15.5 million tonnes, which represents an above average UK production. This was primarily due to an increase in both the yield and planted area which rose by 9.9% and 1.1%, respectively. The value of production of wheat was 50% higher in 2021 at £4.1bn.

Domestic Human and Industrial wheat demand for flour milling (including starch and bio-ethanol) was 2.8% higher in 2022 compared to 2021 at just under 6 million tonnes, with imports decreasing by 17% to 0.9 million tonnes. Demand from flour millers was similar to last year but with a larger domestic crop, less imports were required. From May 2022 both UK biofuels plants were operational which increased demand for feed wheat. Usage of wheat for animal feed was 6.6% higher at just over 7.1 million tonnes. The percentage of wheat in the cereal ration has now recovered to more typical levels after the drop caused by the poor 2020 harvest reducing availability. The AHDB publish cereal usage statistics which can be found at AHDB Human and Industrial cereal usage.

Total wheat imports in 2021 were 21% lower at 1.6 million tonnes mainly due to greater domestic availability and reduced requirements from the flour milling sector. Exports in 2022 were 864 thousand tonnes compared to 295 million tonnes in 2021, with greater domestic supplies increasing the quantity of wheat available for export. The UK has been a net importer of wheat since 2016.

Barley

Table 7.3a to 7.3c Barley; production, value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless otherwise specified)

Enquiries: Allan Howsam on +44 (0)20 802 66123
Email: Crops-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Table 7.3a

Production 2020 2021 2022
Area (thousand hectares) 1,388 1,150 1,104
Yield (tonnes per hectare) 5.9 6.1 6.7
Volume of harvested production 8,117 6,961 7,385
Value of production (£ million) 1,062 1,168 1,815
Sales 761 934 1,316
On farm use 286 340 465
Change in stocks 15 -106 34

Table 7.3b

Prices (£ per tonne) 2020 2021 2022
Malting barley 140 190 276
Feed barley 130 163 238

Table 7.3c

Supply and use 2020 2021 2022
Production 8,117 6,961 7,385
EU imports 97 118 78
Non-EU imports 2 5 4
EU exports 1,157 664 892
Non-EU exports 418 108 6
Total new supply 6,641 6,312 6,569
Change in farm and other stocks 76 -657 382
Total domestic uses 6,565 6,969 6,187
Brewing/distilling 1,639 1,807 1,918
Animal feed 4,688 4,951 4,042
Seed 185 164 178
Other uses and waste 53 47 49
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK 122% 110% 112%

Notes for tables 7.3a to 7.3c:

  1. All cereal production estimates have been standardised to 14.5% moisture content with the exception of 2022 when the hot dry conditions led to lower average moisture contents in the harvested crops. 2022 production data will only be adjusted for farms which have reported moisture content above 14.5% for cereals and 9.0% for oilseed rape. Any production data which has been reported with lower moisture contents has not been adjusted
  2. Value of production excludes farm-saved seed.

Download the full Crops dataset

The value of barley increased by 55% between 2021 and 2022 to £1.8bn. The production of barley increased by 6.1% to 7.4 million tonnes due to increased yields offsetting a 4.0% decrease in area. The area change was driven by a decrease for spring barley of 9.9% to 671 thousand hectares which offset a 6.9% increase in winter barley area to 433 thousand hectares. Growers continued to switch back to winter barley due to more favourable winter planting / crop conditions negating the need for replacement spring crops. Full details of barley production can be found here; Defra cereal production.

Barley exports increased to 898 thousand tonnes in 2022 from just over 770 tonnes in 2021. Most UK exports are to the EU, especially Spain which experienced a poor 2022 barley harvest.

Demand for barley from the brewing, malting and distilling sector continued to recover from the Covid-19 related slump of 2020. Usage from the Brewing Malting and Distilling sector increased to 1.9 million tonnes, an increase of 6.2% on the 1.8 million tonnes in 2021. Demand for barley from the animal feed sector fell by 18% to 4 million tonnes in 2022, due to a general reduction in the animal feed sector and wheat increasing its share of the cereal ration at the expense of other cereals.

Oats

Table 7.4a to 7.4c Oats production, value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Allan Howsam on +44 (0)20 802 66123
Email: Crops-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Table 7.4a

Production 2020 2021 2022
Area (thousand hectares) 210 200 174
Yield (tonnes per hectare) 4.9 5.6 5.8
Volume of harvested production 1,031 1,123 1,007
Value of production (£ million) 150 148 301
Sales 103 115 182
On farm use 32 36 102
Change in stocks 15 -3 17

Table 7.4b

Prices (£ per tonne) 2020 2021 2022
Milling oats 137 152 222
Feed oats 115 135 200

Table 7.4c

Supply and use 2020 2021 2022
Production 1,031 1,123 1007
EU imports 25 28 22
Non-EU imports 0 0 0
EU exports 62 29 187
Non-EU exports 4 8 7
Total new supply 990 1,114 835
Change in farm and other stocks 29 136 -124
Total domestic uses 961 978 959
Milling 561 505 510
Animal feed 366 439 420
Seed 29 28 24
Other uses and waste 5 6 5
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK 104% 101% 121%

Notes for tables 7.4a to 7.4c:

  1. All production estimates have been standardised to 14.5% moisture content with the exception of 2022 when the hot dry conditions led to lower average moisture contents in the harvested crops. 2022 production data will only be adjusted for farms which have reported moisture content above 14.5% for cereals and 9.0% for oilseed rape. Any production data which has been reported with lower moisture contents has not been adjusted
  2. Value of production excludes farm saved seed.

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In 2022, the harvested production of oats decreased by 10% to 1.0 million tonnes driven by a 13% decrease in area offsetting an increase in yield (up 3%). The value of production doubled to £301m due to higher prices.

UK oats usage is dominated by the oat milling sector which increased by 1.0% to 510 thousand tonnes in 2022 from 505 thousand tonnes in 2021. Use of oats in animal feed decreased by 4.3% to 420 thousand tonnes due to reduced demand for animal feed and more wheat being available. Oats have a high fibre content which is useful for ruminant diets and horses but not suitable for poultry. Oat exports increased from 37 thousand tonnes to 194 thousand tonnes - the majority of UK exports continue to be to EU countries. Exports have been strong to Germany, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands on the back of tighter EU supplies. Imports were 6 thousand tonnes lower in 2022 at 22 thousand tonnes.

Straw

Cereal straw production in 2022 was estimated at 9.9 million tonnes, a decrease of 8.1% on the 2021 crop (11 million tonnes). The 2022 harvest season was characterised by a prolonged period of settled, dry weather and high temperatures. Straw yields were better than feared, given the water stress affecting crops, with wheat averaging 3.8 tonnes per hectare, winter barley 3.5 t/ha, spring barley at 2.6 t/ha and oats at 2.7 t/ha.

Despite early concerns over straw yields, they ended up close to the 5-year average and only slightly lower than those seen in 2021. Areas bailed reduced by 4.1% at 2.4 million hectares with bedding sales reducing by 8.1% at 8.3 million tonnes. Percent area baled was similar to the 5-year average, but for all cereals was below that seen in 2019. An estimated 73% of wheat straw, 91% of winter barley straw and 82% of spring barley straw were baled.

Oilseed rape and linseed

Table 7.5a to 7.5b Oilseed rape production; value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: Crops-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Table 7.5a

Production 2020 2021 2022
Area (thousand hectares) 382 307 364
Yield (tonnes per hectare) 2.7 3.2 3.7
Volume of harvested production 1,038 981 1,361
Value of production (£ million) 360 488 877
sales 459 499 779
change in stocks -99 -11 98
Prices (£ per tonne) 347 497 644

Table 7.5b

Supply and use 2020 2021 2022
Production 1,038 981 1,361
EU imports 224 449 424
Non-EU imports 279 477 387
EU exports 114 25 49
Non-EU exports 0 0 0
Total new supply 1,426 1,881 2,124
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK 73% 52% 64%

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Oilseed rape production rose by 39% to 1361 thousand tonnes, with the area planted increasing by 18% at 364 thousand hectares and average yields increasing from 3.2 to 3.7t/ha. The value increased by 80% at £877 million, with prices increasing 29% to £644 per tonne.

UK oilseed rape production has fallen in the last few years from 2 million tonnes per year to just over 1m tonnes, as the trend for recent years of the crop area planted reduced in line with the withdrawal of the neonicotinoid insecticides needed to control the cabbage stem flea beetle. This year has seen tight imported supplies, after the small 2021 oilseed harvest in Canada followed by the disruption to Black Sea supplies since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. This has led to a steep increase in rapeseed values and volatile trading on top of high energy costs for processing.

Table 7.6 Linseed production; value, supply and use

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: Crops-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Table 7.6 Linseed figures are no longer presented here as the area grown in the UK is so small. Historical data can be found in the datasets (Table 7.6). Area data can be found in chapter 2 (Structure of the industry) Table 2.2 Crop areas and livestock numbers.

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Sugar beet

Table 7.7a to 7.7b Sugar Beet production and value; Refined Sugar production and supply (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: Crops-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Table 7.7a

Sugar Beet 2020 2021 2022
Area (thousand hectares) 104 91 87
Yield (tonnes per hectare) 57 81 69
Volume of harvested production 5,894 7,364 6,015
Value of production (£ million) 167 210 223
Sugar content % 16 17 16
Price (average market price (£ per adjusted tonne)) 28 29 37

Table 7.7b

All Sugar (refined basis) 2020 2021 2022
Production 906 1,038 818
EU imports 271 194 261
Non-EU imports 428 469 410
EU exports 91 15 33
Non-EU exports 70 25 21
Total new supply 1,443 1,660 1,435
Production as % of total new supply for UK use 63% 63% 57%

Notes for tables 7.7a and 7.7b:

  1. Average price for all sugar, including transport allowance and bonus
  2. Sugar coming out of the factory in the early part of the year is regarded as being part of production in the previous calendar year.

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Sugar beet production decreased by 18% to 6 million tonnes. The value of production rose by 6.2% to £223 million with prices increasing by 30% at £37.1t/Ha. The planted area showed a decrease of 3.8% at 87 thousand hectares. Seed and initial growth was positive, however the crop suffered a severe drought in August. Beet moth infestations were seen for the first time in the UK - the dry conditions are an ideal climate for them, feeding on the weakened plants. As a result, yields are expected to be around 25% to 28% less than average. In mid-December the crop suffered a frost event, which was later declared to have triggered a Frost Insurance Payment funded by British Sugar. The Frost event was widespread across the growing areas. Overall yields decreased by 15% to 69t/Ha.

Protein crops (Field Peas and Field Beans)

Table 7.8a and 7.8b Protein crops (Field Peas and Field Beans (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Allan Howsam on +44 (0)20 802 66123
Email: Crops-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Table 7.8a

Peas for harvesting dry 2020 2021 2022
Area (thousand hectares) 52 61 57
Yield (tonnes per hectare) 3.1 3.2 2.8
For animal feed      
Volume of harvested production 94 176 144
Value of production (£ million) 19 39 39
For human consumption      
Volume of harvested production 66 20 16
Value of production (£ million) 12 4 3

Table 7.8b

Field beans 2020 2021 2022
Area (thousand hectares) 181 188 212
Yield (tonnes per hectare) 3.0 3.7 3.0
Volume of harvested production 544 694 635
Value of production (£ million) 111 160 178

Notes for tables 7.8a and 7.8b:

  1. Peas exclude vining peas
  2. Animal feed figures cover only that part of the crop which is assumed to be used for stock-feed including for pets and specialist bird food. It also includes an estimate for those varieties originally grown for human consumption but did not meet the required grade. The percentage utilised for animal feed is variable with typical estimates ranging from 30-60%

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The overall area of pulses in 2022 showed an increase from those seen in 2021 with an increased bean area offsetting a fall in the pea area. Pulses remained a popular crop option due to greening requirements of the Common Agricultural Policy although restrictions on the use of plant protection products on crops grown on Ecological Focus Areas (EFA) and UK exit from the EU may affect the area planted going forward. Pulses are a good source of energy and protein and can be used in the diets of poultry, cattle and pigs as well as aquaculture and pet food. Pulses are also able to fixate nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil.

The total area of field peas decreased by 6.1% in 2022 to just over 57 thousand hectares. The proportion of production utilised for animal feed was estimated at 90%, similar to 2021. Total production for animal feed decreased by 18% to an estimated 144 thousand tonnes. The production utilised for human consumption decreased by 18% to an estimated 16 thousand tonnes. Field peas yield averaged 2.8t/ha compared to 3.2t/ha in 2021. There was a variation in yields dependant on how well soils retained moisture during the dry spring. Best yields of peas were from the South-West; overall quality was mixed with the hot weather making peas prone to splitting- however there were fewer virus and disease problems this year.

Increased prices were not sufficient to offset the drop in production and the overall value of field peas in 2022 was £38.7 million compared to £39.0 million in 2021 (0.8% decrease).

The area of field beans was 13% higher than last year at 212 thousand hectares. Despite the increased area, lower average yields meant production decreased by 8.5% to an estimated 635 thousand tonnes. Average yields decreased to 3.0t/ha from 3.7t/ha in 2021. The highest yields were seen in the North-East and West-Midlands. Winter beans fared much better than spring beans, aided by good planting conditions throughout autumn 2021 which led to good crop establishment. Whilst the dry spring did adversely affect winter beans grown on lighter soils those on moisture retentive heavier soils performed well. Spring beans planted during cool dry conditions suffered from moisture deficit and lower yields. Bruchid beetle activity was reduced this year across most areas particularly in northern areas with the notable exception of the South-West where activity increased. The quality of field beans was variable, with winter beans tending to have achieved good quality, whilst spring beans tended to be of poor quality.

Average prices increased, offsetting a drop in production and the overall value of field beans in 2022 was £178 million compared to £160 million in 2021 (11% increase).

Fresh vegetables

Table 7.9a to 7.9c Fresh vegetables production, value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: Crops-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Table7.9a

Production 2020 2021 2022
Area (thousand hectares): 119 113 107
Grown in the open 118 112 107
Protected 0.9 0.8 0.7
Value of production (£ million): 1,676 1,685 1,766
Grown in the open 1,312 1,297 1,395
Protected 364 388 371
Selected crops:      
Cabbages 83 73 77
Carrots 185 185 178
Cauliflowers 78 64 58
Calabrese 81 83 112
Lettuces 208 207 240
Mushrooms 144 132 136
Onions 148 154 137
Tomatoes 89 123 101

Table 7.9b

Prices (farm gate price (£ per tonne)) 2020 2021 2022
Selected crops:      
Cauliflowers 771 691 713
Tomatoes 1,363 1,803 1,409

Table 7.9c

Supply and use 2020 2021 2022
Total production 2,599 2,548 2,401
EU imports 1,892 1,577 1,679
Non-EU imports 321 401 365
EU exports 102 67 83
Non-EU exports 6 2 14
Total new supply 4,704 4,457 4,349
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK 55% 57% 55%

Notes for tables 7.9a to 7.9c:

  1. Data for vegetables and salad crops grown in the open is from the June Survey
  2. Protected area excludes area of mushrooms

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The value of vegetable production increased by 4.8% to £1.8bn between 2021 and 2022, with total production decreasing by 5.8% at 2.4 million tonnes. Areas for vegetables reduced by 5% at 107 thousand ha. Domestic production as a percentage of total new supply to the UK for all fresh vegetables was 55% in 2022, down 2 percentage points from 2021.

January was particularly dry with optimal conditions for carrot, parsnip and onion drilling and planting. February was increasingly unsettled, with storms hitting some parts of the country, causing damage. The spring and summer were generally warmer than average and many areas experienced drought especially in the South and East with a new UK record temperature of 40.3oC recorded in July. The hot, dry summer presented challenges for growers, needing to irrigate crops far more than usual. The increasing costs of all inputs such as energy, diesel, fertiliser and plant protection products have squeezed grower profitability significantly.

Plants and flowers

Table 7.10a to 7.10b Plants and flowers area, value of production and trade (thousand tonnes unless otherwise specified)

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: Crops-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Table 7.10a

Production 2020 2021 2022
Area (thousand hectares): 12 12 13
Value of production (£ million) 1,394 1,562 1,538
Flowers and bulbs 127 129 165
Pot plants 283 325 285
Hardy ornamental nursery stock 984 1,108 1,088

Table 7.10b

Trade (£ million) 2020 2021 2022
Total imports (exc. Channel Islands) 1,228 1,258 1,534
Bulbs 83 71 95
Cut flowers 643 693 705
Foliage 50 68 69
Indoor plants 164 148 171
Outdoor plants 94 107 148
Trees 104 110 242
Other 90 61 104
Total exports 68 56 49
Bulbs 7 7 8
Cut flowers 26 22 23
Foliage 1 1 1
Indoor plants 10 7 1
Outdoor plants 4 3 2
Trees 3 6 4
Other 18 9 9

Notes for table 7.10a and 7.10b:

  1. Areas relate to field areas multiplied by the number of crops in the year and hence differ from those shown in table 2.2.
  2. Trade totals may differ to the sum of the components due to rounding.

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The value of production in the ornamental sector decreased by 1.5% to £1.5bn between 2021 and 2022.

2022 was a challenging year for the hardy nursery stock (HNS) sector, due largely to the prolonged severe drought and heatwave that affected most of the UK for much of the summer and the increased cost-of-living that impacted discretionary spend and so demand, particularly in garden retail sector.

In 2022, hardy nursery stock showed a 1.8% decrease in value at an estimated £1.1 billion.

Container grown nursery stock sales returned to pre COVID-19 levels. Water shortages with the reducing consumer demand because of the drought conditions and increased cost-of-living further exacerbated matters, particularly in the latter part of the year.
Outdoor narcissi, ‘other bulb flowers’ and dry bulb production benefitted from better labour availability, good yield and an increased price per stem / dry bulb in 2022, contributing to increased unit value estimates for most categories. Flowers and bulbs showed a 29% increase in value at an estimated £165m.

The protected ornamentals sector (bedding and pot plants) saw adjustments where some growers reduced production across the board because of the rise in the cost of living and increased cost of materials (pots, growing media etc) which would increase retail prices. The pot plant sector saw a 12% decrease in value at £285m.

Potatoes

Table 7.11a to 7.11c Potatoes production, value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: Crops-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Table 7.11a

Production 2020 2021 2022
Area sown (thousand hectares) 142 137 127
Area harvested (thousand hectares) 120 112 115
Yield (tonnes per hectare harvested) 46 46 42
Volume of harvested production 5,513 5,127 4,797
For human consumption 3,858 3,697 3,028
Seed 366 365 364
Stockfeed and waste 1,289 1,066 1,406
Sales 5,132 5,255 4,888
For human consumption 3,548 3,883 3,201
Seed 366 365 364
Sold for stockfeed 1,219 1,007 1,323
End year stocks 2,664 2,477 2,304
Change in stocks 310 -186 -173
Value of production (£ million) 821 748 705
Sold for human consumption 633 649 604
Sold for seed (including farm saved seed) 120 120 120
Sold for stockfeed 12 10 13
Change in stocks 55 -31 -33

Table 7.11b

Prices (paid to registered producers (£ per tonne)) 2020 2021 2022
Early/maincrop (for human consumption) 179 167 189
Seed 329 329 329
Stockfeed 10 10 10

Table 7.11c

Supply and use 2020 2021 2022
Total production 4,224 4,062 3,391
Imports 2,347 1,828 2,481
Exports 595 431 466
Net trade (negative means net export) 1,753 1,397 2,014
Early/maincrop 49 -58 -116
Seed -102 -75 -92
Processed (raw equivalent) 1,806 1,530 2,222
Total new supply (raw equivalent) 5,976 5,459 5,406
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK 71% 74% 63%

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The value of potatoes was £705 million in 2022, a decrease of 5.8% from 2021 (£748 million) with the area planted reducing by 7.6% to 127 thousand hectares. Yields fell by 8.7% to 42t/ha and prices rose by 13% to £189 per tonne. Prices and yield information were previously obtained from the AHDB who stopped producing data midway through in 2021. For 2022 we have estimated yields based on input from sector representatives, devolved administrations and coverage of the sector in the farming press. For prices we made use of the Northern Ireland published potato price figures.

Fresh Fruit

Table 7.12a to 7.12c Fresh fruit production, value, supply and use (thousand tonnes unless specified otherwise)

Enquiries: Lisa Brown on +44 (0)20 802 66340
Email: Crops-statistics@defra.gov.uk

Table 7.12a

Production 2020 2021 2022
Outdoor fruit area (thousand hectares): 34 33 32
Orchard fruit 23 23 22
Soft fruit 11 10 10
End year stocks 61 106 119
Value of production (£ million): 1,045 922 1,010
Orchard fruit 340 287 377
Soft fruit 705 635 633
Sales 1,044 880 989
Change in stocks 1 42 20
Selected crops:      
Dessert apples 158 154 183
Culinary apples 81 43 94
Pears 20 22 15
Raspberries 140 154 136
Strawberries 473 399 426

Table 7.12b

Prices (farm gate price (£/tonne)) 2020 2021 2022
Selected crops:      
Dessert apples 788 817 890
Culinary apples 405 228 458
Pears 216 360 180
Raspberries 5,598 7,977 7,601
Strawberries 3,145 2,541 2,608

Table 7.12c

Supply and use 2020 2021 2022
Total production 657 577 652
EU imports 1,265 997 1,109
Non-EU imports 2,299 2,330 2,168
EU exports 174 35 35
Non-EU exports 3 2 2
Total new supply 4,043 3,867 3,891
Change in stocks 1 42 20
Total domestic uses 4,043 3,825 3,871
Production as % of total new supply for use in UK 16% 15% 17%

Notes for table 7.12a to 7.12c:

  1. Orchard fruit includes field area of commercial and non-commercial orchards only.
  2. Stock data relates to apples and pears.
  3. Value of production excludes change in stocks for apples and pears
  4. Value of production includes glasshouse fruit.
  5. Excludes change in stocks for apples and pears
  6. EU trade data no longer includes dried fruit.

Download the full Crops dataset

Dry weather at the start of the year gave growers the ability to raise polytunnels for soft fruit earlier in the year and soil conditions were good for planting strawberries, raspberries and orchards. Though some damage to tunnels occurred with the Dudley, Eunice, and Franklin storms in February. Unusually hot days in March and April brought the season forward for both top and soft fruit crops but it left them vulnerable to the late frosts in April which caused some damage. Harvesting of all fruit crops started early due to the continuing effects of the mild spring and the summer heatwave.

The value of fruit production increased by 9.5% between 2021 and 2022 to just over £1 bn, with orchard fruit increasing by 31% to £377m and soft fruit decreasing by 0.3% to £633m.

Domestic production of fresh fruit as a percentage of total new supply increased from 15% to 17% in 2022.

Data Sources and Revisions

Further detailed information on vegetables, plant and flowers and fruit statistics can be found in the annual publication Horticultural Statistics. Some of the more detailed commentary in this chapter is based on data in that report that is not presented here.

Figures for 2022 are provisional and may be subject to revision.

There have been revisions to the data for wheat, barley and oats back to 2020, and some fruit data to 2016.