Copa-Cogeca, the European umbrella body for farmers and co-ops, released final cereals estimates for the 2013/14 marketing year this month, confirming a good 2013 grain harvest and quality, up 4.5 per cent on last years levels.

The issue was discussed in Copa-Cogeca cereals working group. Speaking after the meeting, chairman of the group Max Schulman from Finland stressed: “The figures show that EU member states grain production is up 4.6 per cent this year on last years levels and the quality is good.”

In particular, across the EU soft wheat production is estimated to climb by 6.9 per cent to 135.8 million tonnes this year, barley production by six per cent and maize production by 0.4 per cent. Full details are available here http:// www.copa-cogeca.eu/StatisticsandEconomicAnalysis.aspx.

“Sowings for the winter period also seem to be good so far but they are still under pressure from winter kill and it is too early to tell how it will pan out. Only in March will farmers be in a position to assess better the acreage for production,” Schulman added.

In the advisory group meeting with the EU Commission, the issue of diabrotica was also discussed and Copa-Cogeca reiterated its call to lift current restrictions on transporting corn in Europe.