July 18, 2022

Lower EU cereal production expected during 2022/23

The European Union's total cereal production during the 2022/23 period is expected to reach 286.4 million tonnes, 2.5% lower than the 2021/22 season.

Soft wheat production is forecast at 125.0 million tonnes ( 3.9%), barley at 52.2 million tonnes (+0.4%) and maize at 72.1 million tonnes ( 1.4%).

Given the high feed cost and expected lower EU meat and milk production, demand for animal feed is forecast to decrease by 1.3% in 2022/23 to 158.8 million tonnes. The demand for cereals to produce biofuels is expected to decrease by 3%.

EU exports of cereals are expected to increase by 14% compared to 2021/22, partially offsetting the reduction in global exports being caused by the blockage of Ukrainian sea ports and export restrictions that have been put in place by some exporters.

EU oilseed areas for the 2022/23 harvest have increased substantially (7.5% year on year) due to high prices and the temporary derogation to allow the sowing of crops on fallow land.

EU oilseed production is forecast at 32.1 million tonnes (+7.8% / five-year average), including a record 11.1 million tonnes of sunflower seed, allowing to compensate for the loss of supplies from Ukraine.

- European Commission