EU: Barley crop in parts of the EU benefit from much needed rain, concerns persist in some areas

Barley crops in parts of the European Union have benefited from much needed rains in the last few days but concerns persist in other areas following very dry weather this spring, Reuters reported on May 24.

The EU's crop monitoring service MARS earlier this week cut its estimate for this year's average barley yield to 4.76 tonnes per hectare, down from a previous forecast of 4.90 tonnes and now below the five-year average of 4.83 tonnes.

The decline was driven by expected below average yields in top EU producer France and Spain.

Winter crops have endured prolonged dryness along with late frost in April, although rainfall this month has helped stabilise crop ratings in farm office FranceAgriMer's weekly progress reports.

"The recent rain improved the situation which was becoming like 2011 when there were serious problems during the heading stage," Luc Pelce of crop institute Arvalis said.

"The zone that is still struggling is Lorraine and the far north where rain has continued to be light."

North-eastern regions like Lorraine were also hit by sharp frosts last month, although Pelce said the impact could vary widely depending on the lie of the land.

Rainfall during April was among the lowest of the past two decades in the northern half of the Iberian Peninsula, according to MARS which forecast the average yield in Spain would be just 2.54 tonnes, down from a five-year average of 2.91 tonnes.

The outlook is more positive in Britain, which vies with Spain to be the EU's third largest producer.

"We've had some really beneficial rain and are now coming into a good, bright spell as well. I think optimism towards all the crops is growing," said analyst Jack Watts of Britain's Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

"I think the turnaround in the last couple of weeks has been quite dramatic," he added.

More rain is, however, still needed in the EU's number two producer Germany.

"Barley did suffer from the double blows of the dry start to the spring and late spring frosts," one German grains analyst said.

"A lot more rain has been received in May during the important development period but more is needed. However, winter and spring barley is now looking overall in a reasonable condition."

The outlook is similar in Poland.

"In general barley plants, both feed and malting, look OK at the moment," said Wojtek Sabaranski of analysts Sparks Polska. "Nevertheless, more rain is needed, especially in the west of the country."

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