Prolonged drought in many European arable areas means that wheat, barley and rapeseed develop very slowly. This is a major concern, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. Crops thus enter the winter underdeveloped. Do we notice that in the revenue?
Just look between the front weights or the edge of your cabin roof. Wheat is a weed and grows everywhere. Yet the drought is once again becoming a serious issue for many European arable farmers. In the west the situation is still relatively bad, although in the Netherlands it is also noticed that the grain emerges irregularly and sometimes does not germinate.
It has also been dry for a long time in France. In the Mars report from the European Commission for October, it can be read that this type of weather is also expected in the coming weeks. A similar scenario is unfolding in large parts of Germany.
Oilseed rape hit hard
Drought is a problem for wheat, barley and other grains. Rapeseed is being hit the hardest at the moment. At the end of August, when sowing took place, it was already very dry. Little has changed. The plants were only able to develop well where rain fell at the end of August and beginning of September. Rapeseed is in poor condition, especially in Germany and Poland.
Problems with the oilseed rape beetle play a major role in the United Kingdom, among others. In France the area has decreased by 5% to 10%. Farmers left the seed in the bag because it was too dry. This has also happened in Germany, causing the area to fall below 1 million hectares.
Winter coming
Summer rapeseed is not an alternative, as is the case with grain. Problems with attendance do not always have a direct relationship with the final yield. If growers have to switch to spring wheat and barley, this will have consequences. In addition, winter plays an important role in Central and Eastern Europe. Autumn grains must develop a strong root system to survive the winter. That is not the case now. Reseeding is not an option, while this can still happen in the west.
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Rain is expected to bring relief in the next 14 days, but not everywhere. The condition of all grain crops in the European grain belt from France to southern Russia is below that of the past 10 years. Sowing took place early on average under good conditions, but for the time being the crops are not benefiting from this.
Rain in Eastern Europe
Sufficient rain fell in Ukraine at the beginning of September, allowing crops to develop well here. Most wheat and barley have already been sown there. Rain is planned for southern Russia, so the situation there also looks favorable. Countries such as Poland, Romania and Hungary have the greatest problems with drought.