The MARS agency lowered its yield estimates in the EU due to dry weather
In the June report, MARS experts reported that dry weather in the EU between May 1 and June 12 worsened the productivity of some agricultural crops.
Thus, dry conditions in the north, north-west and north-central Europe increased the soil moisture deficit and reduced the potential yield of winter and spring crops. At the same time, in some regions of Italy, Hungary, Croatia, and Slovenia, excess rainfall led to waterlogging of fields and increased risk of pest infestation. Low temperatures in the Danube regions of Bulgaria and Romania delayed sowing and obtaining seedlings of spring crops.
Taking into account the above-mentioned factors, MARS experts lowered the forecasts of the average yield in the EU in 2023/24 MR compared to previous estimates:
- soft wheat - by 1% to 5.92 t/ha (+2% for the year, +2% - to the average 5-year indicator),
- durum wheat - by 2% to 3.4 t/ha (+5%, -3%),
- winter barley - by 2% to 5.91t/ha (0%, +2%),
- spring barley - by 4% to 3.73 t/ha (-11%, -11%).
The corn yield forecast was left at the level of 7.61 t/ha (+29% for the year, +2% to the average 5-year indicator).
The forecast of yield of oil crops was changed in comparison with previous estimates as follows:
- rapeseed – decreased by 1% to 3.29 t/ha (-1% for the year, +6% for the last 5 years),
- soybeans - increased by 1% to 2.89 t/ha (+29%, +5%),
- sunflower - remained at the level of 2.21 t/ha (+18% for the year), which will correspond to the average 5-year indicator.
