UK: DEFRA estimates barley production will drop to 5.177 million t in 2006
According to the figures released by DEFRA (The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), the UK barley production is seen lower at 5.177 million t compared to 5.495 million t in 2005, as both winter and spring plantings were reduced, respectively to 0.382 million ha (-1%) and 0.498 million ha (-10%), the Home-Grown Cereals Authority recently released.
The improved winter barley yields of 6.7t/ha resulting in a higher winter barley production of 2.575 million t are not predicted to offset the significant 13% decrease of the spring barley output, settling at 2.602 million t compared to 2.990 million t the year before.