LONDON, ENGLAND — Britain's wheat imports rose sharply in September and are running at more than double last season’s pace, according to a Reuters report based on customs data.

Wheat imports for September totaled 337,212 tonnes, up from 222,337 tonnes in August.

Canada and Germany were Britain’s largest supplier at 93,679 tonnes and 50,284 tonnes, respectively. Canada is the leading supplier in the 2020-21 marketing year, which began July 1, at 190,342 tonnes.

Overall imports for the current marketing year are 708,887 tonnes, up substantially from 302,512 tonnes during the same period in 2019-20.

It was anticipated that Britain would sharply increase its wheat imports this year after harvesting a poor crop.

With Britain poised to leave the European Union at the end of this year, traders told Reuters they anticipate that some buyers will seek to import more wheat now because of uncertainty over future trading terms between the EU and Britain.