Aug. 16, 2024: DRV cuts 2024 harvest estimate to 39.1 million tons
In its 6th estimate, the German Raiffeisen Association (DRV) has cut the German grain harvest to 39.1 million tons. This is -8.2% below the previous year and -9.4% below the 5-year average. The 1st DRV estimate in March 2024 was still 41 million tons.
In addition to a -4.7 % decline in acreage, this was due to additional yield losses of -3.7 % as a result of unfavorable weather conditions. There was a lack of a balanced relationship between sun, warmth and precipitation, with regional differences.
The winter barley harvest is expected to fall by just under -8.7% year-on-year to around 8.75 million tons. With a larger area under cultivation, the yield per hectare of 67 dt/ha is -9.8 % below the previous year's result. Spring barley cultivation was increased by +12.7 % and yields are estimated to be +18.1 % higher than in the previous year. Overall, the barley harvest amounts to 10.6 million tons or -3.3 % below the previous year.
Wheat cultivation was reduced by -9.4% according to the findings of the Federal Statistical Office on August 2, 2024. The DRV estimates the yield per hectare at 71.4 dt/ha or -3.8 % lower than in the previous year. The total harvest is estimated at 18.76 million, which is -12.8 % below the previous year and -15.2 % below the 5-year average.
The rye harvest is estimated at around 2.83 million tons, -9.3 % less than in the previous year, mainly due to a -13.5 % reduction in acreage, while yields per hectare were +4.8 % higher. The results for triticale are even less favorable: -13.7% less area and -3.9% lower yields per hectare lead to a -17.1% drop in the harvest of 1.52 million tons.
K. maize cultivation was expanded by +8 %. However, yield expectations are -8.2% below the previous year's level. The harvest is estimated at 4.46 million tons, just -1 % below the previous year's level.
Oat producers are pleased that the oat harvest is around 55% higher due to increased acreage and higher yields per hectare. However, the previous year was well below the multi-year average. However, the production volume of 0.67 million tons plays a subordinate role in the overall grain market.
The German rapeseed harvest fell by -13.9 % to 3.64 million tons. The lower acreage and yields per hectare contributed almost equally to the weak result. Schleswig-Holstein recorded the worst result with -22.3 %, followed by Lower Saxony with -17.7 %, North Rhine-Westphalia with -16.8 % and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with -15 %.
