According to the August issue of the JRC MARS Bulletin Crop monitoring in Europe, the yield forecast for grain maize has fallen by almost 2%, but this is still above the 5-year average for the EU as a whole.
Differences among regions are large: Forecasts are distinctly below the 5-year average for most western and northern-central European countries, while well above-average yields are expected for southern-central and south-eastern Europe, particularly for Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania.
The weak maize yield outlook in western and northern-central Europe is due to a combination of heatwaves (partly during flowering) and below-average rainfall since June or earlier. For the same reasons, yield forecasts for sugar beet, potatoes and green maize, which were already below the 5-year average at EU level, have been revised further downwards. The productivity of pastures in northern, central and western Europe has also been negatively impacted.
The yield outlook for sunflowers remains firmly above the 5-year average.
Forecasts for winter crops and spring cereals essentially remained the same. The season has closed in most regions, and crops have been harvested under adequate weather conditions.
The next Bulletin with updated forecasts will be published on 16 September.
Further information
MARS bulletins - crop monitoring in Europe
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Related Content
MARS bulletins - crop monitoring in Europe
Drought in Europe: the Commission offers further support to European farmers
Details
- Publication date
- 26 August 2019