The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is calling on arable growers across the UK to participate in the 2025 Planting and Variety Survey—a critical initiative that underpins strategic decisions across the cereals industry. With mounting uncertainty due to weather variability, market pressures and legislative changes, this survey delivers the only independent snapshot of crop areas and varieties ahead of harvest. It’s an essential tool not just for industry planners and policymakers, but also for the growers themselves.

This year’s survey launches on Monday, 8 April, and for the first time in its history, results are expected to be published in mid-June, a full month earlier than in previous years. The early release is designed to improve transparency and equip farmers with timely insights for harvest preparation and business planning.

Why This Survey Matters

The AHDB survey captures data on planted areas of wheat, barley, oats, oilseed rape, and other minor cereals, along with key varietal breakdowns. In an industry where every percentage point of yield and market price matters, understanding what’s in the ground helps inform:

  • Grain market forecasts and price direction.

  • Availability and demand for specific varieties (e.g., milling wheat vs. feed barley).

  • Infrastructure planning, from storage to transport logistics.

  • Seed trade dynamics and future breeding priorities.

The 2024 survey, which received responses covering over 300,000 hectares, revealed a marked shift away from oilseed rape and a renewed interest in spring barley. With fluctuating input costs and climate unpredictability persisting, the 2025 edition is expected to shed light on how growers are adapting.

AHDB’s Head of Crop Market Intelligence, Helen Plant, stressed the importance of industry engagement. “We’re asking growers and agronomists to give us just 5 to 10 minutes of their time, and in return, they’ll help shape market understanding for the whole sector. We’re working hard to deliver results quicker so businesses can act on them while they’re still relevant,” she said.

Confidentiality and Accessibility

Participation is straightforward and can be completed online, via post, or through a phone call with an AHDB contractor. Data is anonymised and aggregated, ensuring confidentiality for individual farms. Agronomists and third-party advisors are also encouraged to submit data on behalf of their clients.

Survey responses are being collected via The Research Panel, a trusted market research firm, which ensures rigorous data handling and processing standards.

Industry Support and Broader Impacts

Industry bodies including the National Farmers Union (NFU), British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB), and the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) have publicly endorsed the survey, highlighting its value in providing a reliable, independent picture of the UK crop base.

For policymakers, this data supports evidence-based policy interventions, particularly around input regulation, varietal authorisation, and post-Brexit agricultural frameworks. Moreover, seed companies and processors use the findings to fine-tune supply chains and contract offers for the following season.

A Call to Action

The AHDB warns that insufficient participation could jeopardise the robustness of the data. With the Board aiming for a minimum coverage of 20% of the UK arable area, every returned survey matters.

Growers can complete the survey through:

  • A personalised online link (emailed by The Research Panel).

  • The AHDB website survey portal.

  • Postal or telephone completion, for those preferring traditional routes.

Early participation ensures that the results are not only released on time but are meaningful enough to inform the harvest and post-harvest plans of thousands of UK farms.

As the sector continues to navigate environmental, economic and political upheavals, data-led decision-making has never been more essential. If you grow arable crops in the UK, this is your chance to shape the future of British farming—one field at a time.