🌾 The Arable Network Newsletter

A bitesized news digest for the UK's arable sector

June 10, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

🧭 09.06.25 - This Week’s Highlights

UK feed wheat and Paris rapeseed futures rose in the week to 9 June 2025, supported by global market trends and weather concerns.

Farmers should also note the upcoming release of AHDB’s Planting & Variety Survey (10 June) and HMRC trade data (12 June), which are key indicators for mid-season planning.

Meanwhile, Defra has launched a new review to improve fairness in combinable crops contracts, aiming to strengthen the position of cereal, oilseed, and pulse growers.

Other key developments include a £1bn drop in farm income due to wet weather, warnings over cuts to environmental scheme funding, and new ONS data showing a net decline in UK farm businesses.

1. AHDB Arable Market Report (9 June 2025)

  • UK feed wheat futures (Nov-25) rose by £1.85/t to £180/t.

  • Paris rapeseed futures (Nov-25) rose €11.75/t to €491.5/t.

  • Delivered prices: bread wheat £199.50/t (Northamptonshire), feed wheat £189.00/t (Yorkshire), rapeseed £420.50/t (Erith).

  • Trade & Surveys: Planting and Variety Survey due 10 June. HMRC cereals & oilseeds trade data due 12 June.
    🔗 AHDB Market Report – 9 June 2025

2. Defra launches review of combinable crops contracts (5 June 2025)

  • Defra has launched a review aimed at improving fairness in contracts for cereals, oilseeds and pulses.

  • The review is backed by the Agricultural Supply Chain Practices Review and the £5bn Sustainable Farming Incentive budget.
    🔗 Defra press release

3. Wet weather wipes £1bn from UK farm incomes (3 June 2025)

  • Total income from farming fell by 19% in 2023, with arable farms among the worst hit.

  • Stormy weather and waterlogging contributed to major yield losses.
    🔗 Farmers Weekly Article

4. Environmental schemes under threat in Spending Review (10 June 2025)

  • CLA warns that reducing funding for environmental schemes may force a return to intensive farming.

  • Results based on a farmer survey ahead of the Autumn Statement.
    🔗 CLA News

5. ONS: Net decline in farm businesses in Q1 2025 (6 June 2025)

  • 1,890 agricultural businesses closed in Q1 2025, compared with 805 new businesses started.

  • Data reflects a trend of consolidation and reduced entry to the industry.
    🔗 Farming UK

📅 Coming Soon