Source: Ukragroconsult (Ukraine)
On Tuesday, the crop monitoring service MARS updated its prediction for the EU’s average soft wheat yield, increasing it from 6.00 to 6.03 tonnes per hectare compared to its March projections. This new estimate represents an 8% rise above the 2024 level. Meanwhile, the rapeseed yield forecast stayed steady at 3.2 tonnes per hectare, which is 9% higher than previous years.
The crop outlook is deteriorating in northeastern Europe due to a dry March, while in Turkey, crops are adversely affected by cold conditions and drought.
In Central and Northern Europe, dry weather is intensifying soil moisture shortages, impeding the development of winter crops. Conversely, in southern Europe, heavy rainfall is enhancing soil moisture levels and boosting crop prospects.
Across the EU, maize and sunflower sowing is ongoing, with spring barley and sugar beet planting nearly finished. However, in central and eastern areas, intermittent cold spells and rain have delayed sowing, and further rainfall is necessary to support early plant growth.
Yield projections for Europe remain generally positive, with above-average outputs expected particularly in Spain and Romania. On the other hand, regions such as eastern Ukraine and the western Maghreb, where drought persists, are anticipated to see yields significantly below the annual norm.