September 25, 2012

EU 2012 corn yield forecast down 20%

Unfavourable weather conditions in Southern and South Eastern Europe have caused a decline in the estimated average corn yield across the EU's 27 member states to 6.05 tonnes/hectare, down 20% from last year.

According to the European Commission agricultural research centre MARS on Monday (Sep 24) the revised figure represents a 3.7% drop compared to an estimate from August and was dragged down by sharp decreases in Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and Italy.

The projected soft wheat yield was reduced to 5.53 tonnes/hectare, down 0.7% from August, with the harvest throughout Europe mostly completed, MARS said.

Corn, wheat and sugar beet are key feed stocks for ethanol production in Europe.