EU COM corrects 2023 EU harvest downwards – but remains above the 5-year average In its most recent April 2023 edition, the EU Commission estimated the upcoming EU grain harvest at 284.5 million tonnes, lower than in the previous month. Compared to the weak previous year, the result should be +7.1% higher. In a 5-year comparison, the 2023 harvest is expected to be 1.5% higher. The cuts affect in particular the area yields as a result of the drought in Spain, southern France and northern Italy . Previous estimates in comparison
| In million t | EU COM 04/27/2023 | IGC 04/21/2023 | Strategy Grains 04/13/22023 | COCERAL 24. 03.2023 |
| EU grain harvest 2023 | 284.5 | 285.3 | 279.7 | 280.1 |
The wheat harvest is estimated at 130 million tons (previous year around 126 million tons). The barley harvest of 52.2 million t compared to the previous year is estimated at 51.5 million t. The corn harvest is expected to deliver a significant increase of 64.4 million t compared to 52 million t in the previous year. Rye is expected to increase to 7.6 million tons due to yields, while triticale will be slightly reduced. The oat harvest is expected to reach last year's level again. At 256 million t, consumption is classified as slightly higher than in 2022/23. Grain imports are expected to drop significantly from 36.8 million t to 25.3 million t. On the other hand, exports will increase from 44.2 to 47.9 million tons. Balancing supply and use provides a closing stock of 55.2 million t (previous year 49.6 million t).The associated increase in stocks improves the supply figure from 19 to 21% of the ending stock at consumption and will have a price-dampening effect.
