The European crops have been on the grill in recent weeks and that is not good for the yields. Almost all crops are now below the 5-year average according to the yield forecast. In addition to Southern Europe, the concerns are also great in Central Europe.
Almost all over Europe the thermostats indicate above-average temperatures this growing season. Drought and heat stress disrupt growth and dampen crop yield forecasts. This is revealed in the July edition of the JRC MARS Bulletin of the European Commission. In addition, in a number of regions where the summer crops depend on irrigation, it is not possible or possible to a limited extent because there is insufficient water available in reservoirs and rivers. The only area in Europe where the yields are good are in the Scandinavian countries.
Grain yields below 5-year average
The grain harvest has started in Europe for some time now. Where the first yields seemed to be above average, this is now quite disappointing in Europe. According to the harvest forecast, the average wheat yield is 5,54 tons per hectare, 1,4% below the 5-year average. Compared to June, it is even a decrease of 4,7%. In Southern Europe and France, the grain yield is disappointing. Germany and Central Europe such as Austria and the Czech Republic are heading for an average yield or only record a minimal plus, while they were previously expected to achieve above-average yields. Further east in Hungary and Romania it is also severely dry, the region was ravaged by enormous heat. Both countries are about 5% below their 5-year average of wheat yields. The same goes for barley in Europe. The crop is less than 1% below the 5-year average to 4,10 tons per hectare on average.
In the Netherlands we still get an above-average volume through the thresher. We are harvesting an average of 9,3 tons of wheat per hectare according to the forecast. That is 5% above the 5-year average and even 13% higher than last season. Also barley plus 5% above the 5-year average according to the forecast. The confirm first wheat and barley yields Which. Where the grain yields score even more above average is in Scandinavia. They are 5% to 10% above the 5-year average, but in comparison with Western Europe they achieve lower hectare yields.
8% less maize, normal potato yield
The start of the growing season for summer crops generally went well. However, now the cards are shuffled differently and have washed during the flowering phase suffer greatly due to the lack of moisture. For example, pumping maize is disappointing and that also applies to sunflowers. For maize, therefore, according to the yield forecast, only 7,25 tons per hectare are harvested, 7,8% below the 5-year average. The yield in the Netherlands is estimated at 10,8 tons per hectare, which is in line with the average in recent years. For sunflower cultivation, which has increased by more than 5% in Europe this year, 2,18 tonnes per hectare is expected, which is 7% below the 5-year average.
The potato yield in Europe is still a plus of 2,8%, according to the report. Compared to last month, the potato yield has decreased slightly and now amounts to 35,1 tons per hectare. The same applies to sugar beets in Europe, which on average still grow well. The sugar beets have enjoyed the many hours of sunshine and, according to the forecast, the yield will still increase by 4%, bringing an average of 77,4 tons per hectare in Europe. Compared to the previous edition, the yield is expected to be slightly lower, just like all other crops, due to the drought and heat.