Persistent mild weather across much of Europe is reducing cereal crops' ability to withstand potential cold spells, the European Union's crop surveillance service, Mars said yesterday.
For large parts of France, regions around the North and Baltic Seas and Eastern Europe, the period between January 1 and February 10 was the warmest since 1979, the monthly harvest report said.
The unusually warm weather means that the frost tolerance in countries like Germany, Poland and the Baltic States is much weaker than usual and the winter hardiness in some areas is even lower than a month ago.
As a rule, the plants are resistant to the cold in winter and can therefore withstand frosty temperatures. According to MARS, the relatively mild weather is expected to last at least until February 21 and no frost damage is expected during this period.
Source
HANSA Terminhandel
