Wheat production is expected to fall to 140.5 million tonnes from 141.5 million. COCERAL said this is due to an expected drop in acreage by almost 500,000 hectares after unusually wet weather had affected plantings last fall in Germany, Denmark, Poland and Scandinavia. As a result, production is forecast to drop in these countries, especially in Denmark, Poland and Scandinavia, whereas the Spanish crop is expected to recover after last year’s exceptional drought.
The E.U.’s barley production is forecast to increase from 58 to 60.3 million tonnes due to a return to normal yields in Spain and higher plantings of spring barley that was put into the ground instead of winter wheat in areas affected by wetness last fall, the report said.
The corn crop is seen increasing slightly from 60.9 million tonnes last year to 61.7 million tonnes, with higher crops mainly expected for the southeastern parts of the E.U., while France is forecast to see lower plantings and a lower crop.
Rapeseed production in the E.U. is forecast to slightly increase to 22 million tonnes from last year’s 21.9 million tonnes, with higher crops expected for Germany, France and Romania, whereas Denmark, Sweden and the Baltic countries should harvest less due to lower areas and a return to normal yields from last year’s good levels.
COCERAL noted that weather over the coming months will be crucial for crop development and final yields and deviations from these first forecasts could occur.
COCERAL is the European association representing the trade in cereals, rice, feedstuffs, oilseeds, olive oil, oils and fats.
