Due to relatively good weather conditions in the majority of European countries, the sowing of winter cereals has been completed almost everywhere. This is described in the latest MARS report from the European Commission. However, the dry weather came too late for rapeseed, which means that significantly lower yields are expected next year.
The northern regions in Europe - think of Scandinavia and the Baltic States - had already finished sowing winter grains in mid-September or early October. In the eastern regions, sowing is slower. Due to excessive rainfall, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania have fallen considerably behind. In Romania it is hoped that the sowing of winter wheat can start in the short term. The expectation for winter barley is clearly less positive.
Rain also initially threw a spanner in the works in France, Germany and Poland, but better weather conditions in November made it possible to make up much of this deficit. The European Commission therefore expects that the area of winter grains in these countries will be larger than last year and that in some regions (including the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland) the area will even be larger than the 5-year average. The report does assume that there will be more problems with aphids in these countries.
Problems for oilseed rape
The sowing of rapeseed is less successful. Due to drought in the most important producing regions (such as France, Germany, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine), the sown area within Europe is expected to be considerably smaller than last year and the 5-year average. In France and the United Kingdom there was also abundant rainfall from mid-September, making the sown area even smaller than previously expected. Many plots of land have also been damaged due to flooding in Poland and the Czech Republic.
It is not only these challenging weather conditions that contribute to the declining acreage, because the disappointing yields are also a reason for farmers to switch away from rapeseed. For example, in Hungary, where the weather is relatively favorable this year, the low yields that farmers have faced in recent years are the main reason for the decrease in the area sown.
Sugar beets have had a hard time
The main sugar beet producing countries have had a tough time this season, especially France. The European Commission therefore stated in October yield expectations are already well up. Many plots had to deal with heat and drought at the start of the season. It resulted in poor germination and uneven crop status. Not only was the weather a challenge for French beet growers, diseases and pests were also frequently present. This includes the yellowing virus caused by aphids.
The European Commission assumes that sugar beet yields in France will be 6,5% below the 5-year average. This would make the harvest comparable to 2018, which is the lowest level since 2006. The preliminary estimates from statistical agency Agreste even calculate a 26,5% lower harvest (compared to the average of the past 5 years).