The Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) is confirming the continuing commitment of GB compounders to barley as a constituent of livestock rations.
Usage of barley in animal feed in 2025/2026 is estimated at 4.457Mt, up 35Kt from March’s estimate, but down 43Kt from levels recorded in 2024/2025.
The current trading year ends on June 30.
AHDB analysts estimate that the amount of barley fed on farms across the UK has increased slightly from March’s estimates, reflecting the lower on-farm stocks figures, lower ex-farm prices, and depressed demand from the brewing, malting and distilling (BMD) sector.
In 2025/2026, total UK availability of barley is estimated at 7.835Mt, 20Kt lower than the previous forecast and 651Kt lower than 2024/2025 levels.
Full season barley imports up to the end of August this year are estimated at 190Kt.
The lower trends in BMD demand have continued as anticipated, with 2025/2026 human and industrial (H&I) barley demand expected to be the lowest on records going back to 1990/1991.
The current cost of living crisis is having a major impact on current estimates, with several distilleries being mothballed this season.
Full season barley exports from the UK are estimated at 450Kt with closing stocks of the grain pegged at 1.266Mt.
Maize
In 2025/2026, total availability of maize is estimated at 2.386Mt, 918Kt lower than 2024/2025 levels.
The increase in availability from the previous estimates is due to an increase in imports, with 1.77Mt imported from July to March.
At 557Kt, H&I maize usage is 47% down year on year.
Animal feed demand for maize is similar (-4Kt) to the previous estimate and 197Kt down on the year.
Displacement of maize in feed rations is occurring at the present time.
Oats
According to AHDB analysts, total availability of oats in 2025/2026 is estimated at 1.119Mt.
In 2025/2026, H&I usage of oats is estimated at 528Kt, up 37Kt on the year.
Higher demand for oat products, including for export, is a supportive factor in maintaining the level of demand seen this season.
Alongside this, lower conversion rates at mills have been seen when using the 2025 crop versus the very good quality 2024 crop, resulting in higher usage.
Meanwhile, oat usage in UK animal feed is 16Kt higher year-on-year.
Fed-on-farm tonnages have been estimated as being similar to those achieved in 2024/2025.