United Kingdom: Wheat Market 2025

Wheat Market Size in the UK

The UK wheat market contracted to $X in 2022, falling by -6.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Wheat Production in the UK

In value terms, wheat production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of wheat in the UK reached X tons per ha in 2022, growing by 3.6% compared with the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the yield increased by 16%. The wheat yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of wheat production in the UK was estimated at X ha, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, recorded a mild setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. The wheat harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Wheat Exports

Exports from the UK

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of wheat increased by 258% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible slump. The exports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, wheat exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a noticeable shrinkage. The exports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Ireland (X tons) were the main destinations of wheat exports from the UK, with a combined 82% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +3.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest markets for wheat exported from the UK were Spain ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Ireland ($X), with a combined 79% share of total exports.

Ireland, with a CAGR of +5.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

The average wheat export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, wheat export price increased by +81.1% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 28% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+5.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Wheat Imports

Imports into the UK

Wheat imports into the UK contracted dramatically to X tons in 2022, which is down by -20.7% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 75%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, wheat imports expanded markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 67%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Canada (X tons), France (X tons) and Denmark (X tons) were the main suppliers of wheat imports to the UK, with a combined 72% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Denmark (with a CAGR of +12.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Canada ($X) constituted the largest supplier of wheat to the UK, comprising 38% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with an 18% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Canada amounted to +6.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+4.4% per year) and Germany (-2.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average wheat import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, wheat import price increased by +90.1% against 2016 indices. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Denmark ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Estonia (+4.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :