Brussels, 09/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - According to a European Commission report published on Wednesday 8 October (see above), the cereals harvest in the European Union in 2014 is expected to reach the record level of 317 million tonnes, due to an increase in surface area (+ one million hectares) and a higher level of yield (up from 5.2 to 5.5 t/hectare).
The soft wheat harvest is expected to be up 8% on last year, at 146 million tonnes, with average yield rising by 3.3% to 6 tonnes/hectare. The maize harvest is expected to increase by 10%, to 72 million tonnes, despite a 2% reduction in surface area. Yield is expected to rise by 12%. The previous record cereal production in the European Union (311 million tonnes) was achieved in the growing year 2008/2009.
This greater availability in 2014 is expected to see stocks increase from 32 to 50 million tonnes. It will also help to increase exports for the 2014/2015 growing year, to 34.5 million tonnes, compared to 30 million tonnes on average.
The use of cereals in animal feed is set to rise by 3.3% compared to last year, to 170 million tonnes, in line with the increase in the production of milk and poultry. High availability of fodder wheat and strong maize production will keep prices under pressure. (LC)