Harvest should be almost finished in East Anglia by the end of this week, according to Stuart Attridge of Harlow Agricultural Merchants.

“Quality is good – first wheats are doing well, but some of the second wheats are a bit variable.”

Milling wheat protein was between 0.5% and 1% above last year, but varied from 11% to 14.5%, he said.

Group 1 varieties were averaging 78-80kg/hl, 300 Hagberg and 13.2% protein.

Yields had been better than expected, but were below last year’s bumper crops, said Mr Attridge.

“Rape yields have been fantastic, and barley yields have been alright. But it’s prices that are so disappointing.”

Many farmers would be selling below cost of production at today’s prices, he added.

But few were actually selling anything, and with consumers still to fill their September requirement something would have to change.