It is feared farmers will only be able to supply around a fifth of their usual turnover this autumn, potentially causing a price increase for beer drinkers as a result of one of the worst harvests in decades.

The price of a pint of beer is expected to rise significantly due to a disappointing summer affecting crucial crop yields.

The UK is anticipated to record one of its most disappointing harvests, with a lack of sunshine leading to poor yields of wheat. Farmers may achieve only about 20% of their standard autumn turnover. Experts suggest that England might experience one of its three worst harvests since records started in 1983.

The acreage planted with wheat has decreased by almost 10%, and two-thirds of British farmers report financial losses. During the winter and spring, excessive rainfall waterlogged many fields, destroying sown crops and preventing further planting. Mike Wilkins, a Wiltshire arable farmer who lost about half of his yield, spoke to the BBC, stating, “We have lost thousands and thousands of pounds this year, it has been catastrophic.”

According to Farmers Weekly, UK cereal output is anticipated to decline by more than 3 million tonnes compared to the five-year average this season, marking 2024 as one of the poorest harvests in recent decades. New analysis of government data illustrates the significant impact that prolonged periods of heavy rainfall had on the planting and growth phases, resulting in an estimated 13% decrease in yields for crops like wheat, winter and spring barley, oats, and oilseed rape.

This situation is also affecting brewers, leading to increased production costs for beer, which are likely to be passed on to consumers. This, coupled with ongoing inflation, is expected to drive up the average cost of a pint once more. The Morning Advertiser, a publication dedicated to the pub trade, reported these trends after conducting a reader survey. It noted that the current average price of a lager in London stands at £5.59, which is 80p more than the national average.

The data also highlights a distinct North-South price divide within the UK. There exists a mid-country “belt” that generally offers more affordable lager prices. In areas like the Midlands and Wales, the average price is noted at £4.74, which is less expensive compared to the southern regions, the North West, and Scotland. However, the most cost-effective pints are found in the North East, where the average cost is £4.56.

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