February 28, 2012

EU forecasts 2012-13 wheat harvest at 132 million tonnes

The EU projected its wheat production at 131.9 million tonnes in 2012-13, an increase of 2.5% from this year, official data showed Monday (Feb 27).

EU wheat exports are estimated at 15 million tonnes for the coming season, which runs from July 2012-June 2013. Ending stocks in 2013 are seen at 15.1 million tonnes, up from 10 million tonnes this season.

The bloc's corn harvest is expected to reach 63.2 million tonnes in 2012-13, with ending stocks at 10.8 million tonnes. Rapeseed production is seen up slightly at 20.2 million tonnes next season, with ending stocks of one million tonnes.

"The uncertainties underlying the 2012-13 cereal balance are large, as large parts of sowings have not been conducted and the major part of the growing season lies ahead, with already some concern about frost-kill," the report by the European Commission's farm department said.

Cereal crops in large areas of Western and Eastern Europe are vulnerable to frost-kill, after a mild start to the winter was followed by a severe cold snap at the end of January.

"Affected regions include eastern France, the Benelux countries, Germany, Poland and Czech Republic," the report said.

A lack of rain in parts of Spain and Portugal remains a concern for cereals harvests there, it added.