UK: Scottish arable growers 'threatened' due to cost-price squeeze

Published 2024년 12월 13일

Tridge summary

NFU Scotland is expressing concern over the financial pressure faced by Scottish growers due to low crop prices and increasing input costs, alongside competition from imports. Despite favourable weather conditions for crop establishment, the outlook for 2025 is uncertain. The union is advocating for better pricing and contracts for premium crops like malting barley, and is calling for fairer pricing structures that reward quality and sustainable production. The union also highlighted the frustration of local growers over large volumes of imported wheat and the lack of support for locally produced crops.

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Original content

Unsatisfactory crop prices and the continued rise in input costs are squeezing Scottish growers harder than ever, NFU Scotland has warned. Concerns about low crop prices, rising costs and competition from imports have been raised by the union, factors which are 'threatening' arable farming. Despite favourable weather conditions leading to excellent establishment for winter barley, winter wheat, and oilseed rape (OSR) crops, it said the outlook for 2025 'remains uncertain'. NFU Scotland recently met with the Maltsters Association of Great Britain (MAGB) and the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) to underline the need for more robust pricing and contracts for premium crops, like malting barley. Discussions with distillers and the SWA are ongoing, with calls for fairer pricing structures that reward Scottish farmers for high-quality, sustainable production. NFU Scotland’s Combinable Crops Chair, Jack Stevenson said that many Scottish growers 'are frustrated, and looking to 2025 for ...

Source: FarmingUK