The wet and cold start in spring in Europe causes delays in the summer cereal sowing in the EU. The delays are not yet so advanced that losses could be seriously estimated. Frost and heavy precipitation in March also led to slower growth in winter cereals. With wheat, however, only minor damage is expected. The rape seed stocks in Poland could have been damaged slightly more.
In the EU Commission's monthly report, the authors also point to the warmer temperatures this week in Europe, which may favor sowing and plant development.
In France, the largest producer of cereals in the European Union, sowing of spring barley and sugar beets was around two weeks behind schedule due to wet weather conditions and could negatively affect yields. However, the yield potential for winter crops in France does not seem to have been significantly affected by the cool temperatures, low sunshine and frequent rainfall.
In Germany too, wet conditions have led to a delayed start of spring sowing. Since the beginning of April the warmer weather has forced the field work. The development of winter crops in northern Germany is lagging behind schedule.
In Spain and Portugal, precipitation in the first half of March restored water resources in the soil after the dry winter and improved conditions for summer cereal stocks.
The average yield forecast for EU wheat yields increased from 6.20 t / ha last month to 6.23 t / ha (+ 1.9%) compared to 2017.
The forecast for barley yields in the EU has been raised from 5.02 t / ha to 5.03 t / ha. Compared to the previous year, this would be a slight increase of 2.8%. The latest estimate reflects a slight increase in the winter barley outlook and an unchanged summer barley projection.
For oilseeds, the average EU rapeseed yield increased from 3.28 t / ha to 3.33 t / ha, which represents an increase of 2.6% compared to 2017.
