Arable farmers in Germany are expected to harvest less grain and more rapeseed this year than last year, according to the first estimate by the German statistical office Destatis. The figures also show that the agricultural area in Germany is increasing by 0,5%.
Based on these new figures from Destatis, the total grain harvest is estimated at 36,7 million tons (excluding the grain maize harvest). That is 3,8 million tons (or 9,5%) less than the 2019 harvest. In concrete terms, the German statistics office expects wheat production of 20,2 million tons, which is a decrease of 12,3% compared to last year. Of this, 19,8 million tons is winter wheat.
Less barley, more rapeseed
According to Destatis' first estimate, the barley harvest in 2020 will be 10,4 million tons, which is 1,1 million tons less than last year (-9,9%). According to statisticians, this significant decrease is mainly due to expected lower hectare yields. According to Destatis, this average for the 2020 harvest is 62,2 tons per hectare, which means a decrease of 8,3%.
On the other hand, German arable farmers are actually more this year rapeseed going to renovate. The area has increased by 11,9% to 954.200 hectares. Destatis therefore expects a significantly higher yield: 3,1 million tons, an increase of 302.000 tons (+10,7%) compared to last year. It is expected that the hectare yield will be slightly lower: -0,9% to 3,28 tons per hectare.
Significantly more legumes
The figures for silage maize are also interesting. According to new figures, silage maize will be grown on 2020 million hectares in 2,3, which is an increase of 3,3% compared to last year. Ten years ago this figure was 10 million hectares. The cultivation of legumes has increased by 1,83% to 13,8 hectares, of which peas are grown on 222.800 hectares (+82.000%) and field beans on 10,7 hectares (+59.500%).
Finally, Destatis also notes an increase in the cultivation of soybeans. The area grows by 13,8% to 32.900 hectares. In contrast, the sugar beet area fell by 5,5% to 386.400 hectares (including beets for ethanol production).
Increase in area
Destatis also reports that the agricultural area in Germany increased by 2020% in 0,5 compared to last year. This amounts to 16,7 million hectares, of which 11,6 million hectares are arable land.