DRV cuts 2024 harvest estimate below 42 million tons
In its 5th estimate, the German Raiffeisen Association (DRV) has cut the German grain harvest to 41.5 million tons. This is -2.7% below the previous year and -3.9% below the 5-year average. The main reason for this is the established and foreseeable yield losses due to unfavorable weather conditions in recent weeks. There was a lack of a balanced relationship between sun, warmth and precipitation, with regional differences. The threshing results for winter barley to date have been disappointing in terms of quantity and quality.
The winter barley harvest is expected to fall by just under 6 % year-on-year to around 9 million tons. With a larger area under cultivation, the yield per hectare of 68 dt/ha is -8.2 % below the previous year's result. Spring barley cultivation was increased by 13% and yields are estimated to be 17% higher than in the previous year. The total barley harvest amounts to 10.9 million tons.
According to the findings of the Federal Statistical Office on May 17, 2024, wheat cultivation was reduced by just under 6 %. The DRV estimates the yield per hectare at 74 dt/ha, slightly lower than in the previous year. At 20.2 million tons, the total harvest is expected to be -6.2 % below the previous year and -8.7 % below the 5-year average.
The rye harvest is estimated to be -1.8% smaller than in the previous year at around 3.1 million tons, while the triticale harvest is expected to remain almost unchanged at 1.83 million tons.
Despite lower yield expectations, the maize harvest is estimated at 4.6 million tons or +2.1% year-on-year due to the 11% increase in acreage.
