The data confirms that 2024’s poor harvest has now been pushed into third place, meaning three of the five worst harvests have occurred in just the last decade. Analysts warn this is further evidence of how climate change is reshaping British farming.

Overall, most major cereal crops recorded lower yields than last year and below the five-year average, with winter barley standing out as the exception. Defra also noted significant regional variation across England.

"We have now seen three of the five worst harvests on record this decade after extreme weather, telling a story of escalating climate impacts that farmers are unable to cope with."

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