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Guide to Cereals in the UK
Guide to Cerealsin the UK
WHEAT
Wheat is the most widely grown arable crop in the UK. On average, it covers around 2 millionhectares of land and produces about 15 milliontonnes of wheat each year with over 2.5 milliontonnes exported to countries mostly in the EU.Wheat is a versatile crop and is used mainly for milling into flour for bread and biscuits, andfor animal feed.
The UK has two classifications of wheat for exports; ukp (breadwheat) and uks (soft wheat). ukp and uks exist to create strong,consistent and recognisable classifications to help you easilyidentify UK milling wheat.
Guide to Cereals in the UK
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Guide to Cereals in the UK
ukp comprises of semi-hard wheat varieties which are suitable to both EU and non-EU bread making.Overseas importers like the consistency andversatility of ukp and it is suitable for many productsand can be used to blend with other wheat.
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Specific weight (kg/hl) 76 (min)
Ad mix (%) 2 (max)
Hagberg Falling Number (s) 250 (min)
Protein (%) 11-13
W 170 (min)
P/L 0.9 (max)
Wet Gluten 23.7
ukp
Specific Weight (kg/hl)
Hagberg Falling Number
Protein (%)
W
P/L
Wet Gluten
2009/10
77.6
295
12.4
207
0.57
23.5
2010/11
77.9
307
12.6
217
0.50
24.5
2011/12
80.9
318
12.5
199
0.70
28.2
2012/13
70.9
257
13.2
201
0.86
23.0
2013/14
77.9
341
12.8
220
0.62
23.3
The table below highlights ukp wheat specifications:
5 year harvest quality data
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uks is soft milling wheat suitable for biscuit making,as it has low protein, high extensibility and lowwater absorption. The low protein level makes iteasy to use across a range of biscuit making recipes,including wafers.
uks
Specific Weight (kg/hl)
Hagberg Falling Number (s)
Protein (%)
W
P/L
Wet Gluten
2009/10
76.0
217
10.7
78
0.28
21.3
2010/11
76.0
224
11.0
78
0.20
22.1
2011/12
79.7
268
11.6
92
0.40
29.8
2012/13
69.2
222
12.2
82
0.49
22.0
2013/14
76.2
279
11.5
82
0.22
21.5
5 year harvest quality data
Specific weight (kg/hl) 75 (min)
Ad mix (%) 2 (max)
Hagberg Falling Number (s) 220 (min)
Protein (%) 10.5-11.5
W 70-120
P/L 0.55 (max)
Wet Gluten 21.5
The table below highlights uks wheat specifications:
Guide to Cereals in the UK
FEED WHEAT
Wheat produced in the UK which does not meet the high specification required for domestic oroverseas milling is generally classed as ‘feed wheat.’Feed wheat is used in a range of animal feed rationsfor all classes of livestock.
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n Provides a source of energy due to its high starch content andmakes a good substitute for corn in the ration
n Has a higher protein content than corn, reducing the need forprotein supplementation in the ration
n Suits a variety of processes - can be fed whole, ground, rolled,flaked or pelleted
n Reduces the need for a pellet binder due to higher gluten content.
Benefits of feed wheat in animal feed rations:
UK feed wheat is generally sold as minimum 72.5kg/hl and maximum 15% moisture.
GB Feed WheatSpecific weight kg/hl
Hagberg Falling Number (s)
Protein (%)
201376.1
228
11.4
201269.0
221
11.4
201177.7
230
11.1
201076.0
223
11.0
Average 2010-1374.7
225.5
11.3
Cereal Quality Survey Results – hard endosperm, non-milling wheats
Guide to Cereals in the UK
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BARLEY
UK barley is grown for human consumption, malting,brewing or distilling and for animal feed. It is animportant crop in the rotation system on manyfarms. In the UK, the production of barley in 2013/14reached 7Mt with over 1.1Mt going for exports.
It is the second most widely grown crop in the UK; and is currentlyexported to 26 countries.
GB Barley
Specific weight (kg/hl)
Nitrogen content (%)
Grain through 2.25mm sieve (%)
Grain retained by 2.5mm sieve (%)
2013
67.5
1.68
1.7
94.4
2012
62.9
1.60
3.6
89.8
2011
64.4
1.71
1.4
95.8
2010
67.0
1.64
1.9
94.1
Average 2010-13
65.5
1.66
2.1
93.5
4 year harvest quality data
Guide to Cereals in the UK
MALTING BARLEY
UK malting barley is grown for malt distilled fromgrain to make a range of products from breakfastcereals to high quality alcoholic drinks such as beerand whiskey.
Malt is gaining popularity in the food industry as a flavouringcomponent and a source of nutrients. The UK regularly exportsmalting barley to key buyers including major beer producers such asGermany and the Netherlands.
Good quality malting barley depends on nitrogen content and itsability to germinate; both attributes are found in UK malting barley,which has undergone rigorous testing by the industry.
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Guide to Cereals in the UK
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FEED BARLEY
Barley is a major cereal component in animal feedrations (including fish) and is well recognised as anexcellent energy source for ruminants, providinghigh levels of starch. Being a hard grain it cannot befed whole, however, it suits a range of processingtechniques such as rolling and flaking.
In the United States, barley is a valuable grain for finishing beef diets, whereas in Europe it is widely used in pig and poultry diets. Its starch content is slightly lower than wheat and corn but itsprotein content is similar to wheat and higher than corn making it a useful substitute for corn.
The UK regularly exports feed barley to key buyers such as SaudiArabia and other Middle East and North African countries.
Guide to Cereals in the UK
OATS
On average, 700,000 tonnes of oats are producedevery year for human and animal consumption. Oats are used in breakfast cereals, beautyproducts and animal feed. Over 35,000 tonnes hasbeen exported from the 2013/2014 season, mostlyto the EU.
Oats are widely grown in regions with cooler temperatures, primarilyfor the human food breakfast market but it is still a valuable energysource for farm livestock and horses.
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Guide to Cereals in the UK
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OILSEED RAPE
Over recent years, oilseed rape production in the UKhas taken on a greater prominence, with increasesin both area and total production. Last year, 720,000tonnes was exported to seven counties in the EU.
The seed is crushed to extract oil, which is used in the food andanimal feed industries, with the residue being used as a high proteinanimal feed ingredient. There has also been a strong demand forrapeseed oil for use in biodiesel production in Europe.
Guide to Cereals in the UK
OTHER PRODUCTS
The UK also produces smaller quantities of other cerealsand oilseeds:
n Triticale
n Linseed
n Rye
As well as processed and co-products:
n Malt
n Co-products of ethanol production
n Co-products of the milling process
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Guide to Cereals in the UK
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QUALITY ASSURANCE JOURNEY
These quality assurance and traceability processes and measures have been put in place by industryand government to ensure UK cereals are of the highest possible quality and safety.
n Seed Certification Schemes exist to protect farmers andtheir customers by ensuring that the seed they buy meetscertain quality standards
n In the United Kingdom, certification of seed is governed bytwo Seed Regulations: The Plant Varieties and Seeds Act1964 and the Seed Marketing Regulations 2011.
Seed Certification sn RTFA (Red Tractor Farm Assurance) Combinable Crops Scheme
operates in England and Wales with over 15,000 members
n Assurance standards are set at or above the minimum legal requirements to ensure the producers are adhering to relevant legal requirements, including compliance with the Food Safety Act
n The scheme ensures traceability in all aspects of grain production,from pesticide and chemical use, to effective grain storage andrisk assessments, including mycotoxin risk assessments.
Red Tractor Farm Assurance s
Guide to Cereals in the UK
1.The TASCC Haulage Code,including vehicle hygiene,control of cross-contaminationfrom previous loads andcorrect use of chemicals
2.The TASCC Merchant Code,including the exporting ofcombinable crops covered bythe International Trading andShipping Module
3.The TASCC Testing Code,establishing commonstandards of testing toincrease confidence in theaccuracy of test results
4.The TASCC Storage Code,comprising a set of minimumstandards to ensure foodsafety during the handling andstorage of combinable crops
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The Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC) covers all activity from the farm gate to the ship, with over 95% market coverage.It provides credible independent verification that the supply chain is meeting its legal obligations underfood legislation and associated codes of good practice,of which there are four:
Post Farm-Gate
Guide to Cereals in the UK
EXPORTERS DIRECTORY
To find out more information on cereals andoilseeds from the UK, please refer to our ExportersDirectory which gives you the direct contactinformation of all UK cereal and oilseed exportersand lists all the products they supply.
You can find a web version at:www.hgca.com/exportersdirectory or get in touch with BCE, if you would like a printed version.
If you wish to make an enquiry, feel free to use this informationand contact the exporters directly. Please get in touch with BCE if you require a translator during any correspondence.
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Guide to Cereals in the UK
ABOUT BCE
BCE (British Cereal Exports) facilitates exports of UKcereals as whole grain. Its activities are guided by acommittee of growers and traders. BCE provides alink between overseas customers and the cerealssector, supplying independent information on the UK cereal industry.
We visit customers in their own markets to understand their needs andalso hold a variety of events to allow end users to see the UK cerealsindustry first-hand, such as our bread and biscuit making workshops.
BCE has contacts throughout the industry, from plant breeders to UKtraders and can put you in touch with the right people for your enquiry.We can help you make appointments and suggest itineraries for yourtrip to the UK.
For further information on BCE, visit www.hgca.com/bce
Contact us:
To find out more information about the cereals and oilseeds the UK has to offer, please contact us using the information below.
BCEAHDB-HGCAStoneleigh ParkKenilworthWarwickshireCV8 2TLUK
Contact:
Dorit CohenSenior Events and Marketing ExecutiveTel: +44 (0)24 7647 8740Email: [email protected]
Sarah MannExports ManagerTel: +44 (0)24 7647 8739Email: [email protected]
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Guide to Cereals in the UK
BCEAHDB-HGCA
Stoneleigh ParkKenilworth
Warwickshire CV8 2TL
UK
Email: [email protected]: +44 (0) 24 7647 8739
HGCA is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
© September 2014 Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
The ukp and uks classifications are registered trademarks of AHDB.
