The latest MARS Bulletin from the European Commission published today (Monday, August 24) has revised the yields of all summer crops downwards since its July forecast.
However, yields in Europe still remain above or near the five-year average according to the report.
In this months bulletin, yield reductions were forecast for summer crops in France, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, the Benelux countries and Poland and are reported to be due to hot weather and low rainfall.
However, the yield forecast for soybeans was increased as good growing conditions were reported in northern Italy and Hungary.
The MARS Bulletin for August took in the time period from July 1 to August 21. The bulletin reported that: “Large parts of western and northern central Europe have been affected by a rain deficit since the beginning of July.
Temperatures increased in these regions at the end of July, and a heatwave of seven to ten consecutive days occurred in the first half of August.
“The combination of limited water supply and high temperatures negatively affected summer crops, with expected reductions in yields.
“In southern Ukraine and eastern parts of Romania and Bulgaria, the return of drought conditions negatively impacted summer crops, leading to the early senescence of maize and sunflower crops.”
However, the report did state that summer crops in many parts of central Europe, eastern Italy and western Romania benefited from surplus rainfall.
The MARS Bulletin forecasts are outlined in the table below.
Image source: MARS Bulletin
Ireland
The report stated that in Ireland “the review period was characterised by slightly below average temperatures and frequent rainfall”.
Commenting on the spring barley harvest the report outlined that “in many fields, crops have been ripening unevenly, and yields remain variable among fields with thin crops resulting in reduced average yields”.
The MARS Bulletin reported “good yields” of winter oilseed rape and forecast reduced yields for winter cereals due to the wet harvest conditions.