EU: Barley yield estimate close to unchanged in MARS’ latest outlook

The European Union's crop-monitoring service sharply lowered its yield forecast for this year's EU maize harvest, citing the expected impact of heatwaves and low rainfall in the southeast of the 28-country bloc, Reuters reported on July 24.

However, the MARS service's forecasts for most other crops were little changed, having made downward revisions in its previous monthly outlook to reflect hot, dry conditions in countries such as Spain and France.

In its July report published on July 24, MARS cut its projected EU grain maize (corn) yield for 2017 to 6.83 tonnes per hectare (t/ha) from the 7.14 t/ha estimated last month.

Among other so-called summer crops, MARS also lowered its sunflower yield projection. The yield is now seen at 2.04 t/ha, compared with the 2.18 t/ha estimated last month, though this would still be above the five-year average.

The forecast for sugar beet was little changed at 73.8 t/ha against 73.9 t/ha last month and above the five-year average of 72.0 t/ha, with rain in the past month helping crops in major producers such as France and Germany.

The EU soft wheat yield was pegged at 5.85 t/ha against 5.86 t/ha previously, still close to the five-year average.

The total barley yield estimate for 2017 was also close to unchanged at 4.71 t/ha, with an upward revision for winter barley offsetting a slight cut for spring barley.

For rapeseed, the 2017 yield was pegged at 3.21 t/ha, near last month's estimate of 3.22 t/ha and below the five-year average.

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