JRC predicts good EU summer cereal yield

Europe’s annual crop yield will be high, according to the Joint Research Centre’s latest MARS crop monitoring in Europe bulletin.

The document covers all 28 EU member states and predicts that end of year yields will “remain favourable”. Maize is expected to be particularly excellent, with yields 11% above the level of last year and the past five years’ average. According to the report, the high yield can be attributed to a very high level of rainfall in Europe despite this negatively impacting on harvesting activities. The rainfall, though heavy, also had an overall limited impact on winter and spring cereals.

The bulletin also defines the summer conditions for crops as “good to excellent”, particularly due to near-average temperatures and humid weather conditions. This good weather has again had a good impact on maize.

The final yield is likely to be in line with the total for 2013 and well above the average for the last five years, at more than 6%. The full bulletin can be read here.