Scottish barley production up 1000% in 100 years

An archive of agricultural data published by Scotland’s chief statistician has revealed that production of Scottish barley, used to make Scotch whisky, has increased by 1000% in the last 100 years.

Scottish barley production has increased tenfold over the last 100 years

Since 1914, barley production has risen from approximately 190,000 tonnes to more than two million in 2014.

In addition, the area of barley planted is now four times greater than 100 years ago, growing from around 80,000 hectares to more than 325,000 hectares.

As such, the amount of barley cultivated has more than doubled from 2.4 tonnes per hectare to 6.3 per hectare.

“It’s extremely encouraging to see that barley production is continuing to increase,” said Richard Lochhead, rural affairs secretary. “Barley is a strong crop in Scotland, favoured by the brewing and distilling industries, with a substantial amount – 600,000 tonnes – being used by them last year. That’s 30% of the overall amount of barley produced in 2013.

“Over the last 20 years, the barley area has represented around 70% of the area of all cereals grown in Scotland, and around half of all crops.

“Scotch whisky is one of our most iconic products and I’m extremely grateful to the hard work Scottish farmers put in to growing one of its key ingredients.

“We export Scotch whisky to 173 countries, from the United States – which has more than doubled its spend on our national drink – Brazil and China to Bermuda, Papua New Guinea and the Vatican City.

“As we enter the year of food and drink, this just exemplifies how important our whisky production is not only to the Scottish economy, but to our deserved reputation as a land of food and drink.”

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