MARS: Improved yield prospects, especially for summer crops in Europe The agricultural meteorological institute of the EU Commission (MARS) corrected the yield prospects for the previous month in its July report. The most recent rainfall has contributed significantly to the fact that favorable conditions prevailed in the crucial grain filling phase. In the winter crops it was too late for the early-ripening species, sometimes too late for the late-ripening ones. However, the summer fruits benefit in full. The wheat suffered the most. MARS estimates the EU average yield to be almost 4% below the 5-year average. Winter barley also lost almost 2% of its yield. MARS estimates the hectare yields of rapeseed to be 3.8% lower in a multi-year comparison. The rye was able to hold its own due to its high drought tolerance. Yields are estimated to be 5.7% higher than the 5-year average.The summer fruits cut off quite cheaply. The spring barley is said to deliver 7.8% higher yields and the grain corn is even 8.3% based on the 5-year average. The area yields of sunflowers are estimated to be 9.3% higher. Since Russia is an important competitor for the EU in the export of grain, it is worth taking a look at the conditions there. The weather conditions from March to June 2020 were divided into two. There was abundant rainfall in the northwestern growing areas , while in the intense southwestern regions it was too dry from March to April and was hit by a heat wave in June. The winter crops were hit hardest. On average, only 36 dt / ha should be harvested from Russian wheat . Russian barley yields are estimated at 8% to 38 dt / ha. The summer fruits are set higher in terms of yield.The Russian harvest is estimated at 117 million tons, of which 76 million tons is wheat. That is just above the previous year's result. Exports are expected to remain at a similar level and will face fierce competition from EU exports.
