Weather takes toll on E.U. grain crops
(World-Grain.com, July 17, 2009)
by World Grain Staff
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WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Erratic weather conditions have taken a toll on the E.U.'s grain harvest this year, according to a report released on July 16 by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The FAS said a dry April followed by an unseasonably wet May and June in central and eastern Europe, combined with persistent dry conditions in the west, have lowered prospects for the E.U. grain harvest. Total grain production is currently expected to be 285 million tonnes this summer. Within this total, wheat production is put at 135 million tonnes, barley at 61 million tonnes and corn at 56.5 million tonnes, all lower tonnages as compared to expectations two months ago, according to the FAS report.
FAS said that the crop should be sizeable, but it is now expected to be 28 million tonnes, down from last year’s record harvest and 5.5 million tonnes below expectations just two months ago.
Compared with two months ago, wheat production for marketing year 2009-10 is reduced 3 million tonnes, largely due to reduced harvest expectations in Hungary, Romania and Spain, according to the report. FAS said reductions elsewhere were being countered by improved prospects in France. Quality remains a concern in much of Europe.
FAS said barley is also now expected to be 3 million tonnes smaller than two months ago, and in contrast to wheat, most of this reduction is due to a lower Spanish barley number.
Prospects remain good for corn, particularly in Western Europe, although the recent difficult weather in Central and Eastern Europe will mean the coming weeks will be significant for crop development, FAS said.
With the current season coming to an end, exports — notably of wheat from France, Hungary and Germany — have remained buoyant despite third country competition. Carryover stocks will not be as large as expected but will still affect new crop prices. With another large crop expected to be harvested, the European Commission can be expected to come under renewed pressure, particularly from the new member states, to provide market support, be it in the form of intervention or otherwise."
Our farm will be below 50% of normal production... if rain is not forthcoming by the beginning of next week.
Some fields have less than 25mm this crop year... our flax just nicely starting to emerge is many places.
If you got a few showers... be thankful... many did not.
(World-Grain.com, July 17, 2009)
by World Grain Staff
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Erratic weather conditions have taken a toll on the E.U.'s grain harvest this year, according to a report released on July 16 by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The FAS said a dry April followed by an unseasonably wet May and June in central and eastern Europe, combined with persistent dry conditions in the west, have lowered prospects for the E.U. grain harvest. Total grain production is currently expected to be 285 million tonnes this summer. Within this total, wheat production is put at 135 million tonnes, barley at 61 million tonnes and corn at 56.5 million tonnes, all lower tonnages as compared to expectations two months ago, according to the FAS report.
FAS said that the crop should be sizeable, but it is now expected to be 28 million tonnes, down from last year’s record harvest and 5.5 million tonnes below expectations just two months ago.
Compared with two months ago, wheat production for marketing year 2009-10 is reduced 3 million tonnes, largely due to reduced harvest expectations in Hungary, Romania and Spain, according to the report. FAS said reductions elsewhere were being countered by improved prospects in France. Quality remains a concern in much of Europe.
FAS said barley is also now expected to be 3 million tonnes smaller than two months ago, and in contrast to wheat, most of this reduction is due to a lower Spanish barley number.
Prospects remain good for corn, particularly in Western Europe, although the recent difficult weather in Central and Eastern Europe will mean the coming weeks will be significant for crop development, FAS said.
With the current season coming to an end, exports — notably of wheat from France, Hungary and Germany — have remained buoyant despite third country competition. Carryover stocks will not be as large as expected but will still affect new crop prices. With another large crop expected to be harvested, the European Commission can be expected to come under renewed pressure, particularly from the new member states, to provide market support, be it in the form of intervention or otherwise."
Our farm will be below 50% of normal production... if rain is not forthcoming by the beginning of next week.
Some fields have less than 25mm this crop year... our flax just nicely starting to emerge is many places.
If you got a few showers... be thankful... many did not.
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