DEFRA Crop Areas

DEFRA has released its crop area figures for the 2014 harvest.  These are based on the June Survey, and at the moment relate to England only (full UK data will not be out until October).  The June Survey figures are regarded as the most definitive on planted areas.  They show some slightly different trends from the HGCA figures presented last month – although it must be stressed that the comparison is not like-for-like as the HGCA data was for Great Britain.  The main difference is for oilseed rape, the earlier survey had a 1% rise compared against 2013, however the DEFRA figures show a 6% fall.  Taken with lower-than-expected yields in some areas, this has helped firm the rape market slightly.  The wheat area in the June Survey also does not rise as strongly – only a 19% increase against a 22% rise in the HGCA figures.