Brussels, 26/08/2015 (Agence Europe) - Maize and sunflower have been particularly affected by the warm, dry conditions in Europe this year, according to the MARS report published by the European Commission on Monday 24 August.
Maize yields are forecast to be 6.4 tonnes per hectare in 2015, down 20.5% on last year. Sunflower will see a 14.9% fall in yield (down 18.1% in Spain).
Yield forecasts for winter cereals is more optimistic, thanks to more favourable weather conditions in northern Europe. The European Union yield for wheat is forecast to be only 5.5% lower than last year and is expected to be 2.5% higher than the average of the last five years. A drop of only 10% in cereal yields is forecast compared with last year. Spain and Italy are the countries most affected by the heat waves. Spring crops in the east of France and the south of Germany have also had to endure record high temperatures. The combination of high temperatures and lack of rainfall has affected maize growth in the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, with some of these countries facing falls in yield of 30% on last year's levels. (Lionel Changeur)