PARIS, FRANCE — Projected yield for the 2021 EU soft wheat crop declined slightly in August from the previous month, according to a report released by European crop monitor MARS on Aug. 23.

The average soft wheat yield is forecast to reach 5.98 tonnes per hectare, down from 6.05 tonnes projected by MARS in July.

The report noted that the projected EU soft wheat yield would still be 5% higher than last year and 5% above average from the past five years.

While mild temperatures and adequate rainfall led to an improved yield forecast for summer crops in some parts of western and north-central Europe, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece, and western Romania were impacted by a severe heatwave in July that reduced yield in non-irrigated crops, the report said.

Other highlights from the report included:

·         Raising projected corn yield to 7.90 tonnes per hectare from 7.88 in July

·         Increasing barley yield to 4.99 tonnes per hectare from 4.96 in July

·         Raising rapeseed yield to 3.21 tonnes per hectare from 3.19 in July.