Copa and Cogeca has released new estimates for this year’s EU grain harvest, forecasting a 6% drop in EU cereal and oilseeds production, due to extreme weather conditions.
Copa and Cogeca Cereals Working Party chairman Max Schulman said: “Farmers in some central European and northern countries – including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Germany and Finland – have been hit by severe drought, which is reaching catastrophic proportions.
“Whilst some southern countries, such as Italy and France, have been experiencing floods.
We consequently expect about 6% drop in the EU cereals harvest compared to 2017, totalling 273.8 million tonnes.
Schulman added: “For soft wheat, a 2.2% cut in the area is predicted as prices remain below production costs and farmers continue to be hit by the cost-price squeeze.”
Copa and Cogeca Oilseeds Working Party chairman Arnaud Rousseau went on to warn of the estimated 6% drop in EU oilseeds production (two million tonnes less), compared to last year, reaching 31.5 million tonnes.
“We are also concerned about the substitution of EU crop-based biofuels by palm oil and biodiesel imports.
“EU crop-based biofuels which generate a protein-rich co-product for use in animal feed must be promoted against palm oil in the EU.
“In addition, we call on the Commission to implement urgently the countervailing duty on biodiesel imports originating from Argentina,” Schulman added.
