Defra publishes official estimates of crop areas in England relating to 1 June each year. 2026 crop areas will be collected throughout June/July and cereal area estimates are due to be published here [https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cereal-and-oilseed-rape-areas-in-england] on 27 August 2026. Areas for previous years are available via the same link.

Food security is national security and is of the utmost importance. UK Food security is built on supply from diverse sources, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. Imports supplement domestic production and ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security of supply.

The Department continues to assess the resilience of the agri-food supply chain through regular engagement with industry and cross-government coordination.

Together with the devolved administrations, Defra has established the UK Agricultural Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG) to monitor and assess the impact of market developments across the UK. It monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade and recent developments, enabling it to provide forewarning of any atypical market movements.

The Department of Health and Social Care’s National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) provides information on dietary intakes of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and blood markers of nutritional status for adults and children. The UK Scientific Advisory Committee for Nutrition has conducted risk assessments on the adequacy of specific micronutrients in the UK diet and made recommendations.

Defra's genetic improvement network initiative supports breeding research which identifies beneficial genetic traits to improve productivity, sustainability and resilience of UK crops including wheat varieties and oilseed rape. No research has been undertaken on micronutrients.

Defra engages regularly with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) on a range of agricultural matters. However, these discussions have not included the consideration of micronutrient content in relation to the Recommended List of cereal and oilseed varieties.

Cereals are internationally traded commodities, and their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments.

The Government has closely monitored the 2025 harvest and continues to engage regularly with industry stakeholders to assess any implications this may have on the cereals sector. In addition, the UK Agricultural Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG) provides early warning of atypical market movements by tracking trends in prices, inputs, and trade.

The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain. For the cereal crops that are produced domestically, the UK has been over 80% self-sufficient for a number of years. Due to environmental and climate conditions the UK milling industry require a certain level of imports of high protein milling wheat year on year to meet consumer demand.

The Department has not undertaken an assessment of the impact of grain imports produced to standards lower than those required for domestic producers. However, we recognise the importance of maintaining high production standards to protect consumer confidence, food safety, and the competitiveness of British farmers.

The Department has not conducted an assessment of the impact of reduced milling premiums on farmers. However, the Government recognises that fluctuations in quality-based market premiums, including those for milling wheat can affect farm incomes and business resilience.

Cereals and oilseeds are internationally traded commodities, and their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments. These developments may be influenced by the global market disruption, weather conditions, or currency fluctuations.

Support is being provided through the Environmental Land Management schemes, which reward sustainable farming practices and help improve soil health and long-term productivity. These schemes are designed to enhance the resilience and profitability of arable farmers, including those in the cereals sector.

The Department is also investing in innovation and research to help farmers adopt more efficient and sustainable practices, such as precision agriculture and crop breeding. Officials continue to monitor market conditions closely and engage regularly with industry to ensure that policy and support remain responsive to the needs of grain producers.

In addition, the Government’s food strategy sets out a vision for a more sustainable and competitive food system, including trade that supports British standards and expands export opportunities for UK producers.

Cereals and oilseeds are internationally traded commodities, and their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments. These developments may be influenced by the global market disruption, weather conditions, or currency fluctuations.

Support is being provided through the Environmental Land Management schemes, which reward sustainable farming practices and help improve soil health and long-term productivity. These schemes are designed to enhance the resilience and profitability of arable farmers, including those in the cereals sector.

The Department is also investing in innovation and research to help farmers adopt more efficient and sustainable practices, such as precision agriculture and crop breeding. Officials continue to monitor market conditions closely and engage regularly with industry to ensure that policy and support remain responsive to the needs of grain producers.

In addition, the Government’s food strategy sets out a vision for a more sustainable and competitive food system, including trade that supports British standards and expands export opportunities for UK producers.

Cereals and oilseeds are internationally traded commodities, and their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments. These developments may be influenced by the global market disruption, weather conditions, or currency fluctuations.

Support is being provided through the Environmental Land Management schemes, which reward sustainable farming practices and help improve soil health and long-term productivity. These schemes are designed to enhance the resilience and profitability of arable farmers, including those in the cereals sector.

The Department is also investing in innovation and research to help farmers adopt more efficient and sustainable practices, such as precision agriculture and crop breeding. Officials continue to monitor market conditions closely and engage regularly with industry to ensure that policy and support remain responsive to the needs of grain producers.

In addition, the Government’s food strategy sets out a vision for a more sustainable and competitive food system, including trade that supports British standards and expands export opportunities for UK producers.

The landmark economic deal with the United States announced on 8 May protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK. For the first time ever, this deal will also open up exclusive access for UK beef farmers to the US market.

The demand for UK-produced crops is subject to global market prices and supply. Crop varieties grown in the UK can be of a specification for food, feed and bioenergy standards, and this in-built flexibility helps farmers to ensure an end-use market for their product. For farmers, the opportunity to sell into bioenergy production offers a secondary market for their surplus or lower quality crops and associated agricultural residues. In 2023, 133,000 hectares of agricultural land in the UK were used to grow crops for bioenergy. This area represents 2.2% of the arable land in the UK.

The Government is working closely with the Ethanol industry to find a way forward. The Business and Transport Secretaries met with representatives from the bioethanol industry last week to discuss their concerns.

The resilience of Ukraine's grain export infrastructure is demonstrated by the fact that it exported all its surplus harvest from 2023 and is on course to do so again for its 2024 harvest. Ukraine is now exporting over 80 per cent of its grain through its maritime corridor in the Black Sea. It is also exporting grain through its Danube ports and by rail and truck through neighbouring EU member states.

Over 80 per cent of Ukraine's grain exports are now transported through the Black Sea corridor. In 2024, over 48 million tonnes of grains and oilseeds were exported, and monthly volumes were consistently at the highest levels since the war began. Through all routes, Ukraine exported all its surplus harvest from 2023 and is on course to do so for its 2024 harvest.

The UK prides itself on world leading animal health and welfare standards. Farmers across the nation deliver on the standards set out in our world class legislation on matters such as living environment for animals, access to veterinary services and suitable diet for farmed animals.

Legislation is in place to ensure feed may be placed on the market and used only if it is safe and does not have a direct adverse effect on the environment or animal welfare.

Port health authorities are responsible for sampling and analysing imported feed products on a risk-based approach. Where analysis is carried out, the results would be reviewed by the relevant authorities and appropriate action taken. Local Authorities will inspect the feed businesses systems and the results of any checks performed by them, when they conduct Official Controls at the business. Feed businesses will routinely check the consignments of grain they have received.

Feed businesses are responsible for deciding whether or not they wish to purchase assured or non-assured grain for use in animal feed as this is a commercial decision.

Cereals and oilseeds make up a significant proportion of animal feed, most of which are internationally traded commodities. Subsequently, their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments in price and availability. Defra publishes statistics on domestic agricultural production on gov.uk however we make no assessment of end market. There are a number of external factors that will influence the split between human and industrial use of grain and that used for animal feed.

The UK prides itself on world leading animal health and welfare standards. Farmers across the nation deliver on the standards set out in our world class legislation on matters such as living environment for animals, access to veterinary services and suitable diet for farmed animals.

Legislation is in place to ensure feed may be placed on the market and used only if it is safe and does not have a direct adverse effect on the environment or animal welfare.

Port health authorities are responsible for sampling and analysing imported feed products on a risk-based approach. Where analysis is carried out, the results would be reviewed by the relevant authorities and appropriate action taken. Local Authorities will inspect the feed businesses systems and the results of any checks performed by them, when they conduct Official Controls at the business. Feed businesses will routinely check the consignments of grain they have received.

Feed businesses are responsible for deciding whether or not they wish to purchase assured or non-assured grain for use in animal feed as this is a commercial decision.

Cereals and oilseeds make up a significant proportion of animal feed, most of which are internationally traded commodities. Subsequently, their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments in price and availability. Defra publishes statistics on domestic agricultural production on gov.uk however we make no assessment of end market. There are a number of external factors that will influence the split between human and industrial use of grain and that used for animal feed.

The UK prides itself on world leading animal health and welfare standards. Farmers across the nation deliver on the standards set out in our world class legislation on matters such as living environment for animals, access to veterinary services and suitable diet for farmed animals.

Legislation is in place to ensure feed may be placed on the market and used only if it is safe and does not have a direct adverse effect on the environment or animal welfare.

Port health authorities are responsible for sampling and analysing imported feed products on a risk-based approach. Where analysis is carried out, the results would be reviewed by the relevant authorities and appropriate action taken. Local Authorities will inspect the feed businesses systems and the results of any checks performed by them, when they conduct Official Controls at the business. Feed businesses will routinely check the consignments of grain they have received.

Feed businesses are responsible for deciding whether or not they wish to purchase assured or non-assured grain for use in animal feed as this is a commercial decision.

Cereals and oilseeds make up a significant proportion of animal feed, most of which are internationally traded commodities. Subsequently, their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments in price and availability. Defra publishes statistics on domestic agricultural production on gov.uk however we make no assessment of end market. There are a number of external factors that will influence the split between human and industrial use of grain and that used for animal feed.

Imported grain for human consumption is subject to surveillance monitoring by Port Health Authorities, and this includes physical checks that encompass mycotoxins and the presence of other extraneous matter. Imported consignments of grain that do not meet our food safety requirements are not allowed entry on to the British market.

The Food Standard Agency is not aware of any concerns relating to imported grain failing to meet food safety requirements.

UK Farm Assurance schemes are industry led and managed, therefore government has made no assessment on the level of assured grain in the UK supply chain.

British farmers are world-leaders and know their own land best - carefully planning their planting to suit the weather, their soil type, and their long-term agronomic strategy. In 2023, domestically produced wheat accounted for 83% of the wheat used in the milling grist.

Due to environmental and climate conditions the UK milling industry require a certain level of imports of high protein milling wheat year on year to meet con-sumer demand. Cereals are internationally traded commodities. Subsequently, their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments in price and availability.

This is a good example of food security, built as it is on supply from diverse sources, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. The import part of this supplements domestic production and ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security of supply.  Due to environmental and climate conditions the UK milling industry require a certain level of imports of high protein milling wheat year on year to meet consumer demand.

We are closely following the EU's proposals to impose tariffs on Russian grain and oilseed imports, which are subject to adoption by the European Council.

The UK imposed 35 per cent additional tariffs on Russian cereals and oilseeds in March 2022, following which imports fell by over 99 per cent and are now negligible.

Our fantastic British farmers are world-leaders and carefully plan their planting to suit the weather, their soil type, and their long-term agronomic strategy.

It is not Government policy to determine which crops farmers should prioritise to include in their crop rotation, but we will continue to support farmers, so they can make the right decisions for them and the productivity of their land.

At the NFU conference, the Government announced a range of measures to boost productivity and resilience in the farming sector, including the largest ever grant offer for farmers in the coming financial year, expected to total £427 million. This includes doubling investment in productivity schemes, bolstering schemes such as the Improving Farming Productivity grant, the Water Management grant, the adding Value grant. Lastly the Farming Equipment and Technology fund can fund productivity items from a specified list of equipment, including eligible drills, fertiliser applicators, and grain dryers, which is due to open in the coming weeks.

Defra’s Genetic Improvement Networks (GINs) on Wheat, Oilseed Rape and Pulses crops aim to improve the main UK crops by identifying genetic traits to improve their productivity, sustainability and resilience. Across the GINs we have already successfully identified genetic traits that have improved resilience to climate change and common pests and diseases, and we are working with breeders to incorporate these traits into elite UK crop varieties.

The digitisation of the grain passport in the arable supply chain is an industry led initiative run through the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board led Digital Passport Leadership Group.

The group are currently consulting on delivery of the digitisation of the passport. Following this, the Group will review the responses and decide on a way forward.