According to the latest figures published by Copa and Cogeca (the farming and agri-cooperative organisations in the EU), EU cereal production in 2017 is expected to rise by 0.4%, compared to last year though still remaining below 300 million tonnes. Oilseed production is likely to rise by 1.6%, mainly as a result of better weather conditions in some countries.
Chairman of the Copa and Cogeca Cereal Working Party Max Schulman said that this year’s cereals harvest is expected to be 0.4% up on last year’s levels, reaching 298 million tonnes. However, it is still below the five-year average. Some countries have, he said, been experiencing frost and drought this year, especially France and southern member states, “and the variable conditions are likely to impact on the quality of EU production. Favourable prospects in the USA, Canada and Kazakhstan could also affect the market balance”. Grain stocks nevertheless remain quite low.
Copa and Cogeca point out that oilseed producers are being squeezed by low prices and high production costs, as a result of the suspension of neonicotinoid seed treatments, “which meant the area under oilseeds did not rise”. Without neonicotinoid seed treatments and without alternative products, “farmers end up having to spray their crops much more frequently which causes a big cost increase”, Copa and Cogeca state. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)