LONDON, ENGLAND — British wheat exports dropped in November but are still ahead of last year’s pace, Reuters reported, citing customs data.

Wheat exports for the month were 67,706 tonnes, sharply down from the prior month’s 257,338 tonnes.

With concerns that Britain might leave the E.U. without a trade deal provided an incentive for forward exports.

E.U. export destinations fell to 36,206 in November from 225,820 tonnes a month earlier. Shipments to non-E.U. destinations were barely changed at 31,500 tonnes, which compared with 31,518 in October.

Total wheat exports for 2019-20, which started July 1, were 741,546 tonnes, up from 134,209 tonnes in the same period a year ago.

Wheat exports are expected to increase this season, with production rising nearly 20% to a four-year high of 16.22 million tonnes, Reuters said.

Imports in November were down to 58,242 tonnes compared to 74,989 tonnes in the previous month.

Cumulative wheat imports for the season are down sharply to 435,743 tonnes, which compared with 1.04 million tonnes in the same period a year ago.