14/09/2026
As the 2026 harvest season draws to a close across England, with Scotland nearing completion, this year's crop story highlights both challenges and opportunities for the UK malting barley sector.
🌾The English harvest is now complete, while at time of writing, Scotland is approximately 95% finished. English barley crops generally fell below expectations on both yield and quality, whereas Scottish crops performed closer to five-year averages, delivering encouraging results in both areas. Lower nitrogen levels have also contributed to an improvement on last year's Scottish crop.
🌤️ Weather has been a key influence this season, with much of Europe experiencing significant heat and rainfall deficits. The impact of these conditions has been evident across barley crops, and the longer-term effects on production remain an area to watch. However, understanding how crops have responded to these conditions will provide valuable insight as the industry prepares for future seasons.
📈 From a market perspective, a lack of demand is helping to keep prices in check, despite the UK remaining in a surplus position. However, firm values are expected to continue through the season as grain moves between surplus and deficit regions, alongside wider global influences.
🌍 Globally, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and broader inflationary pressures continue to support market volatility, reinforcing the importance of closely monitoring supply and demand dynamics.
Looking ahead🔍…This season reinforces the importance of resilience across the supply chain. While this year's crop has presented its challenges, stronger Scottish performance and firm market fundamentals provide a degree of confidence as the industry moves into the remainder of the season.
Read more of our expertise and insights at www.muntons.com
