The latest EU Commission crop monitoring report highlights a lower forecast average yield for EU barley, with declines also forecast more regionally for wheat. The downward revision of forecast yield has been driven by the rainfall deficit across much of Western Europe between 1 April and 27 May, with colder weather also causing concern for Germany and the Nordic countries.
The average forecast yield for EU barley has fallen to 4.76t/ha in the latest bulletin from 4.90t/ha in the March release. The latest yield forecast is 1.5% below the five year average. As with barley, soft wheat yield forecasts have also been revised down in a number of regions.
It is worth noting that the latest forecast yields come relatively early in the season and there is still time for weather over the coming weeks to impact on final harvest yields.
This article was supplied by Dr Amandeep Kaur Purewal / Senior Analyst (Cereals & Oilseeds) Market Intelligence, Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board
