MARS sharply lowers EU corn, soybean and sunflower yield estimates due to heat

Experts from the EU's Crop Monitoring Service (MARS) sharply lowered yield estimates for major crops in an August report, as prolonged heat and moisture deficits in western and central Europe reduced grain yields and accelerated crop ripening.

 

Thus, compared to July estimates, the yield forecasts for the main crops have been reduced:

• soybeans – by 12% to 2.31 t/ha, which will be 14% below the 5-year average,
• corn for grain – by 5% to 6.61 t/ha (-7% to the 5-year average level),
• sunflower – by 1% to 1.92 t/ha (-3%),
• rapeseed – by 2% to 3.09 t/ha (-4%).

 

At the same time, the yield of winter grain crops in the EU is confirmed at a level close to the 5-year average values, and is:

• for soft wheat – 5.88 t/ha (0% to the 5-year average, -7% compared to 2025),
• barley – 5.02 t/ha (0%, -11%).

 

Several heat waves have sharply increased losses of spring crops, and in the most affected regions, complete crop failure is possible, MARS reports.

 

Unlike most EU countries, for Ukraine, MARS forecasts for this season exceed the 5-year average. The average crop yield in Ukraine is expected to be:

• wheat – 4.74 t/ha (+10% to the 5-year average, +14% compared to 2025),
• barley - 4.1 t/ha (+14%, +17%),
• corn for grain – 8 t/ha (+13%, +15%),
• soybeans – 2.69 t/ha (+9%, +11%).