MARS estimates higher area yields in 2021 In its July issue, the Agrometeorological Institute of the EU Commission (MARS) predicts higher grain yields for the 2021 harvest . The basis is the evaluations of the current climate data, which are closely related to area yields. This is based on long-term research results. In the most recent observation period from the end of May 2021, western Europe was affected by high levels of precipitation. However, there was a heat wave in parts of Italy and in the countries bordering the Adriatic Sea. In the Baltic states up to Finland the temperatures were above average. Lack of rain was not found. The delays in vegetation development in spring have meanwhile more than made up for. Damage to the rapeseed flowers has regenerated. The late summer crops have clearly caught up. Recently, rainfall has delayed harvesting operations.In some regions storms caused crop losses in terms of quantity and quality. The climate evaluations showed an EU average increase in grain yields of + 6.3% above the 5-year average . Common wheat is estimated at +6.05%, but winter barley only at +4.0% . Rye is even expected to increase by 6.4%. On the other hand, a yield increase of only 1.7% is expected for K. maize. MARS estimates the rapeseed yield to be + 4.8% above the 5-year average. Depending on regional weather developments, the results vary in the individual EU member states. Above-average growth is forecast for the Baltic states with yield increases of +9.3 to +12% in a five-year comparison. An increase of + 7.7% is expected for France.Germany's earnings are expected to increase by 6.2% . Clearly falling yields are expected for Finland, Italy and Portugal. The area yields vary widely depending on the soil, climate and production technology. For wheat , the results range from around 90 dt / ha in Belgium, the Netherlands and Ireland to below 25 dt / ha in Portugal and Greece. For grain maize, the range extends from 120 dt / ha in Spain and Greece, 100 dt / ha in Italy to 60 dt / ha in Poland and Romania. The rapeseed yields vary from 40 dt / ha in Belgium and Denmark to 22 dt / ha in Spain to 14 dt / ha in Finland. For Z. beet , yields of only -0.2% are expected on average in the EU. An increase of 2.4% is predicted for Germany. For potatoes , MARS estimates an increase of 5.1% .Poland with + 10% and Germany with + 7.6% stand out in particular. When compared to the previous year , the majority of the changes remain within a narrow range from slightly unchanged to slightly increasing .
