Dry conditions could make it one of the worst harvests on record

THE UK is on course for one of its worst harvests on record after dry conditions and drought hit staple crops, according to an analysis.

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Yield estimates from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) show that the UK could see its fifth worst harvest since detailed records began in 1984, according to the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), which analysed the data.

Farmers are harvesting fields this year after the UK experienced an extremely dry spring, which hindered the development of arable crops such as wheat, oats and barley - albeit with significant regional variations depending on soil type and rainfall.

The anticipated poor output marks a second difficult year for farmers following the third worst UK harvest on record in 2024.