MARS continues to reduce yield estimates In its most recent August issue, the EU Commission's Agrometeorological Institute (MARS) reduced the yield estimates from the previous month. Based on the climate data in the period from Anf. July to mid-Aug 2023, the average grain yield is classified -1% lower than the previous month, but still at the level of a 5-year average. For the individual types of grain, the results vary depending on the time of harvest. At -2%, wheat performed significantly weaker than winter barley, with an unchanged result. Rye is rated even worse by -3%. Spring barley is at a low yield of -14% below the multi-year average. Rapeseed yields were also classified lower by -3% on the previous month, but still remain above the 5-year average. The climatic conditions in the EU were in the investigation period July/Aug. very different. In the northern EU regions, there was mostly excess rain, which delayed harvesting work and led to a loss of quality.A heat wave in southern Spain hit the already dry country hard again. In Spain and Portugal, grain yields are around -40% below the multi-year average. Northern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia were hit by hailstorms. The regions in the Czech Republic, central Poland and parts of Bulgaria experienced deficits in precipitation . In contrast, Romania and Hungary benefited from a mild weather period, which will contribute to high corn and oilseed yields. Compared to previous years (tenths), the spread of the regional area yields is becoming increasingly larger. The overall result of the EU harvest is made up of very different individual harvests. High and low subtotals partially offset each other.
