A combination of heat and drought is the reason that many crop yields in Europe are considerably lower than the estimate earlier this summer. This is evident from the latest forecast from the JRC crop monitoring institute of the European Union.
The yield forecast for silage maize in particular was significantly reduced. Compared to the previous forecast in mid-July by 5,7%. Grain maize lost 2,4%.
Less beets and potatoes
The potato yield forecast for all EU countries combined also fell by 3,1%. The sugar beet yield forecast was also reduced by exactly the same percentage.
JRC Mars Institute
Soybeans in Southern Europe grew well thanks to the tropical conditions, which increased the yield forecast by 3,4%. The drought and heat mainly had a negative effect in Western Europe. In France, the lowest yields in 10 years are expected, especially from grain maize and sugar beet. Potato yields are estimated as average in France at 40,5 tons per hectare.
Better than the five-year average
Although drought and heat have affected most crops in Western Europe since mid-July, the crop yield forecast for most crops that have yet to be harvested is still above 5 in the vast majority of EU countries. -year average. This certainly applies to grain maize.
Despite the downwardly revised yield forecast compared to July, the European Union's JRC Mars Institute still expects a more than 5% higher yield than the 5-year average, which is 8 tonnes per hectare. The sunflower and soybean harvest is also estimated to be more than 5% higher than the 5-year average.
Grain harvest lower than average
This year's European grain harvest is lower than the 5-year average. Compared to July, the yield estimate decreased by 0,6%. The difference with the five-year average for all grain crops fell to 4,4% below the five-year average, which is 5,6 tonnes per hectare. The wheat yield in particular was disappointing this year in most EU countries. The cultivation of barley was characterized by a major difference between winter barley and spring barley.
Due to the wet winter, the yield of winter barley scored 4,2% lower than the 5-year average. But the spring barley turned out to be no less than 9,1% higher than the 5-year average, measured on average across the European Union. The far above average yield of spring barley is mainly due to the countries around the Baltic Sea and Spain.