BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — Soft wheat exports from the European Union (EU) are sharply higher in the 2021-22 marketing year compared to the previous year at this time, according to data from the European Commission.

The Commission data showed exports reaching 6.95 million tonnes from July 1 through Sept. 26, a 36% increase compared to the 5.09 million tonnes exported last year through that date.

The increase in exports coincides with reports of a rise in yield. In late August, the European crop monitor MARS estimated EU soft wheat yield to reach 5.98 tonnes per hectare, up 5% from the previous year and 5% above the five-year average.

The amount of barley exported to date from the EU was also up, according to the Commission data, with 2.37 million tonnes traded compared to 2.11 million tonnes in 2020-21.

The Commission data also showed that EU maize imports had declined year-on-year to 3.43 million tonnes through Sept. 26, compared to 4.22 million through the first three months of the 2020-21 marketing year.