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COCERAL CROP FORECAST March 2024

Brussels, 20 March 2024 - In its second forecast for the 2024 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 295.5 mln t. This would be slightly down from the previous forecast of 296.5 mln t and up from the 292.4 mln t harvested in 2023.

Wheat production (excluding durum) is expected at 134.1 mln t, compared to 139.4 mln t in the December forecast and down from 140.0 mln t of last year. Record rainfall late last year had a major impact on winter cereal sowing (wheat/winter barley) in northwestern Europe (France, Germany, UK, Baltics, Poland), while Spain’s production will substantially increase vs 2023. The EU-27+UK 2024 barley production is now forecast at 61.2 mln t, up from 58.6 mln t in the previous forecast and 55.7 mln t harvested in 2023. Denmark, Finland, and Spain will have better barley crops than in 2023. The preliminary EU27 number on corn crops is now seen at 64.3 mln t, up from 63.7 mln t forecast in December and up from the 2023 harvest seen at 62.5 mln t. The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is forecast at 20.2 mln t (20.3 mln t in the previous forecast), down from last year’s 21.3 mln t.


COCERAL CROP FORECAST December 2023

Brussels, 20 December 2023 - In its first forecast for the 2024 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 296.5 mln t. This would be up from the 287.1 mln t harvested in 2023.

Wheat production (excluding durum) is expected at 139.4 mln t for 2024, in line with the 139.3 mln t harvested in 2023. Record rainfall in recent weeks had a major impact on winter cereal sowing (wheat/winter barley) in France but also in Northern Europe due to recurrent rainfall (Germany, UK, Baltics, Poland), while Spain will substantially increase vs 2023, Italy, and Germany crops will instead be in line with the current harvest. The EU-27+UK 2023 barley production is forecast at 58.6 mln t, up from 54.6 mln t for the 2023 harvest. Denmark, Finland, and Spain will have better crops than in 2023, The preliminary data on corn crops are now at 63.7 mln t, with the 2023 harvest at 61.8 mln t. The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is forecast at 20.3 mln t, up from the 17.2 mln t in the previous forecast.


COCERAL CROP FORECAST September 2023

Brussels, 29 September 2023 - In its fourth forecast for the 2023 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 288.9 mln t. This is down from the 296.7 mln t in the June forecast and in line with the 290.1 mln t harvested in 2022.

The main reason for the downward revision is that the early dryness in the northern half of the EU has had a bigger impact than previously expected. Crop estimates have been lowered significantly for Germany, Bulgaria, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Latvia.

Wheat production (excluding durum) is expected at 141.0 mln t, down from 142.4 mln t in the last forecast and down from 143.6 mln t in 2022.

The EU-27+UK 2023 barley production is forecast at 54.7 mln t down from the previous forecast of 56.6 mln t and from 58.6 mln t in 2022. The corn crop is now seen at 60.8 mln t, with the previous forecast at 61.3 mln t., and last year’s crop at just 52.7 mln t. France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria are forecast to see bigger crops after the 2022 crop had been affected by severe drought and heat.

The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is forecast at 20.4 mln t compared to 21.0 mln t in the previous forecast and 19.9 mln t in 2022.


COCERAL CROP FORECAST June 2023

Brussels, 12 June 2023 - In its third forecast for the 2023 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 296.7 mln t. This is down from the 303.5 mln in the March forecast, but up from the 291.1 mln t harvested in 2022.

The main reason for the downward revision in the crop forecast is the current dryness in the northern half of the EU. Crop expectations have been lowered significantly for Sweden, Denmark, and the Baltics. Production has also been revised down for Germany and Spain, where current rains came too late for wheat and barley. Wheat production (excluding durum) is expected at 142.4 mln t, down from 144.5 mln t in the last forecast and from 142.5 mln t in 2022. The EU-27+UK 2023 barley production is forecast at 56.6 mln t, down from the previous forecast of 59.6 mln t and from the 59.3 mln t in 2022. The corn crop is now seen at 61.3 mln t. The previous forecast was at 62.3 mln t and last year’s crop at just 52.5 mln t. Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Italy are forecast to see much bigger crops after the 2022 crop had been affected by severe drought and heat. The French corn crop, however, is not expected to recover to a substantial extent because plantings are down due to high input costs. More extensive crops, such as sunseeds, are seen to substitute a part of the corn area.

The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is forecast at 21.0 mln t compared to 21.1 mln t in the previous forecast and 21.0 mln t in 2022. Plantings are up slightly year on year, while yields are expected to drop slightly from last year’s good level. If the current dryness in the northern half of the EU will continue into July a further cut in the production forecast seems very likely.


March 2023

Brussels, 24 March 2023 - In its second forecast for the 2023 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 303.5 mln t. This is down from the 304.4 mln t in the December forecast, but up significantly from the 290.7 mln t harvested in 2022.

The main reason for the total grain crop increase from last year is the expected recovery of corn production, which is now seen at 62.3 mln t. The previous forecast was at 64.5 mln t and last year’s crop at just 52.5 mln t. Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Italy are forecast to see much bigger crops after the 2022 crop had been affected by severe drought and heat. The French corn crop, however, is not expected to recover to a substantial extent because plantings are forecast to drop due to high input costs. More extensive crops, such as sunseeds, are seen to substitute a part of the corn area.

Wheat production (excluding durum) is expected at 144.5 mln t, up from 143.3 in the last forecast and from 142.3 mln t in 2022. Similar to corn, higher crops are particularly expected for Spain, Italy, Hungary and the Balkan countries. The EU-27+UK 2023 barley production is forecast at 59.6 mln t, marginally down from the previous forecast of 60.0 mln t and slightly up from 58.8 mln t in 2022.

The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is forecast at 21.1 mln t compared to 20.5 mln t in the previous forecast and 21.1 mln t in 2022. Plantings are up slightly year on year, while yields are expected to drop slightly from last year’s good level.

 


December 2022

Brussels, 19 December 2022 - In its first forecast for the 2023 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 304.4 mln t. This would be up from the 285.1 mln t harvested in 2022.

Wheat production (excluding durum) is expected at 143.2 mln t, up from this year’s 140.7 mln t. A higher crop is particularly expected for Spain assuming a return to normal yields after the drought in 2022. The EU-27+UK 2023 barley production is forecast at 60.0 mln t, slightly up from 58.5 mln t in 2022.

The EU-27+UK 2022 corn crop is now seen at 64.5 mln t (2022: 50.7 mln t), with significant yield improvements in the Balkan countries, Hungary, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is forecast at 20.4 mln t compared to 20.6 mln t in 2022, with the acreage increasing again, while yields are seen slightly down from the good results seen this year.


September 2022

Brussels, 16 September 2022 - In its fourth forecast for the 2022 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 287.9 mln t. This would be down significantly from the 309.5 mln t forecast in May and from the 309.8 mln t harvested in 2021.

Wheat production (excluding durum) is estimated at 140.5 mln t, down from the 143.0 mln t in the previous forecast and from last year’s 143.4 mln t. The estimate has particularly deteriorated for Spain and Hungary due to extreme heat and drought. The EU-27+UK 2022 barley production is estimated at 59.8 mln t, slightly down from the 60.0 mln t seen in May, but up from 59.0 mln t last year.

The EU-27 2022 corn crop is now seen at only 51.9 mln t (previous forecast: 66.0 mln t; 2021: 70.2 mln t) due to significant downward revisions for a number of countries due to hot and dry weather during pollination, particularly Hungary, Romania, France, Italy, and Germany. In contrast, Poland is expected to see another huge crop of more than 7 mln t, being the third biggest corn producer in the EU after France and Romania. The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is estimated at 20.7 mln t, the highest level in the last few year. This compares to 19.5 mln t in the previous forecast and 18.4 mln t last year.


May 2022

Brussels, 27 May 2022–In its third forecast for the 2022 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 309.5 mln t. This would be up from the 305.6 mln t forecast in March, but down from the 312.0 mln t harvested in 2021. Wheat production (excluding durum) is expected at 143.0 mln t, up from the 141.3 mln t in the previous forecast but down from last year’s 143.9 mln t. The forecast has particularly improved for Spain due to timely rains. The EU-27+UK 2022 barley production is forecast at 60.0 mln t, slightly up from 59.4 mln t last year. The EU-27+UK 2022 corn crop is now seen at 66.0 mln t (previous forecast: 67.3 mln t; 2021: 67.2 mln t). The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is forecast at 19.5 mln t compared to 19.3 mln t expected in March and 18.5 mln t last year.


March 2022

Brussels, 15 March 2022– In its second forecast for the 2022 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 305.6 mln t. This would be up from the 304.5 mln t forecast in December, but slightly down from the 307.3 mln t harvested in 2021. Wheat production (excluding durum) is expected at 141.3 mln t, up from the 139.8 mln t in the previous forecast but down from last year’s 143.2 mln t. The EU-27+UK 2022 barley production is forecast almost unchanged at 59.2 mln t, slightly down from 59.4 mln t last year. The EU-27+UK 2022 corn crop is now seen at 67.3 mln t (previous forecast: 66.4 mln t; 2021: 67.2 mln t), with a much higher crop in Hungary, but slightly lower crops in Poland, Germany, France, and Romania. The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is forecast at 19.3 mln t compared to 20.0 mln t expected in December and 18.5 mln t last year.


December 2021

Brussels, 13 December 2021– In its first forecast for the 2022 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 304.5 mln t. This would be slightly down from the 307.6 mln t harvested in 2021. Wheat production (excluding durum) is expected to decrease from 143.2 mln t to 139.8 mln t, mainly because of a return to average yields in the Balkan region after record high crops have been reached there in 2021. The French crop is forecast to be down by almost 1 mln t year-on-year, while the German crop is seen higher by a good half mln t. The EU-27+UK 2022 barley production is forecast at 59.0 mln t, marginally down from 59.4 mln t this year. The EU-27+UK 2022 corn crop is seen almost unchanged year-on-year at 66.4 mln t (2021: 66.3 mln t), with a much higher crop in Hungary, but slightly lower crops in Poland, Germany, France, and Romania. The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is forecast to recover from 18.5 mln t to 20.0 mln t mainly because of higher plantings in several countries, including Germany, France, the UK, Romania, and Bulgaria.


September 2021

Brussels, 10 September 2021– in its fourth forecast for the 2021 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 312.6 mln t. This is down from the previous forecast of 315.1 mln t, but significantly up from the 297.2 mln t harvested in 2020.

The wheat production has been revised down to 143.4 mln t from 145.8 mln t mainly due to lower-than-expected crops in France, Germany, and Scandinavia. Last year’s crop was at 128.1 mln t. The EU-27+UK 2021 barley production is now estimated at 60.3 mln t, down from 62.4 mln t in the previous forecast and from the 63.7 mln t seen last year.

The EU-27+UK 2021 corn crop forecast has been revised up to 67.3 mln t from 65.0 mln t (last year: 62.7 mln t) due to weather-related upward revisions for Poland, Germany and the Balkan countries. The Polish corn area has been revised up significantly. The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is still forecast at 18.5 mln t (last year 17.5 mln t).


May 2021

Brussels, 18 May – in its third forecast for the 2021 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 315.1 mln t. This is significantly up from the previous forecast of 306.8 mln t and from the 297.2 mln t harvested in 2020.

The wheat production has been revised up from 141.5 mln t to 145.8 mln t mainly due to excellent yield prospects in the Balkan countries and Spain. Last year’s crop was at 128.2 mln t. The EU-27+UK 2021 barley production is now forecast at 62.4 mln t, up from 61.5 mln t in the previous forecast, but down from 64.0 mln t last year. Good barley crops are expected in almost all areas of the EU, while the UK is projected to see a significant decline due to a reduction in spring barley plantings.

The EU-27+UK 2021 corn crop forecast has been revised up to 65.0 mln t from 63.5 mln t (last year: 62.7 mln t), with much higher crops in the Balkan countries. The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is still forecast at 17.6 mln t (last year 17.2 mln t) mainly because of higher crops in the Balkan countries.


March 2021

Brussels, March 2021 - In its second forecast for the 2021 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 306.8 mln t. This is slightly down from the previous forecast of 307.4 mln t,but would be up significantly from the 297.2 mln t harvested in 2020. The wheat production has been revised down from 143.0 mln t to 141.5 mln t, mainly due to lower than previously expected winter wheat plantings in Germany, Italy, and Hungary. Last year’s crop was at 128.2 mln t. The EU-27+UK 2021 barley production is still forecast at 61.5 mln t, down from 63.9 mln t last year. While Germany and France are forecast to see much better crops than in 2020, production is seen down in Spain, where weather during the most critical crop development stage has been excellent in 2020, and in the UK, where spring barley planting should decrease substantially as the country has planted more winter grains this year than last year. The EU-27+UK 2021 corn crop forecast has not changed either and is still seen up year-on-year at 63.5 mln t (last year: 62.4 mln t), with much higher crops in the Balkan countries and small reductions in several other EU member states. The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is still forecast to recover slightly from 17.1 mln t to 17.7 mln t because of slightly higher crops in several countries, including Germany, France, the UK, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary


December 2020

Brussels, December 2020 -In its first forecast for the 2021 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 307.4 mln t. This would be up significantly from the 295.7 mln t harvested in 2020. Wheat production (excluding durum) is expected to recover from 127.9 mln t to 143.0 mln t especially driven by higher expected plantings and yields in France, Germany, the UK, and the Balkan countries where adverse weather had affected the last crop. The EU-27+UK 2021 barley production is forecast at 61.5 mln t, down from 63.1 mln t last year. While Germany and France are forecast to see much better crops than in 2020, production is seen down in Spain, where weather during the most critical crop development stage has been excellent in 2020, and in the UK, where spring barley planting should decrease substantially as the country has planted more winter grains this year than last year. The EU-27+UK 2021 corn crop is seen slightly up year-on-year at 63.1 mln t (last year: 62.8 mln t), with much higher crops in the Balkan countries and small reductions in several other EU member states. The EU-27+UK rapeseed crop is forecast to recover slightly from 16.9 mln t to 17.8 mln t because of slightly higher crops in several countries, including Germany, France, the UK, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.


September 2020

Brussels, 25 September 2020 - In its fifth forecast for the 2020 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 293.6 mln t. This is down from the 295.5 mln t seen in the fourth forecast in August and 18.8 mln t down from the 2019 level of 312.4 mln t.

Wheat production (excluding durum) is seen almost unchanged from the previous estimate at 129.2 mln t. This compares to last year’s crop of 146.0 mln t.

The EU’s 2020 barley production is now forecast at 61.3 mln t, down from the 62.5 mln t seen in the previous forecast and from the 63.2 mln t last year.The downward revision is mainly due to downward revisions for the UK, the Balkan countries and parts of Scandinavia, which cannot offset a further upward revision in Spain.

The EU’s 2020 corn crop is revised down to 62.8 mln t from the previous forecast of 64.6 mln t. Last year’s crop was at 65.3 mln t. Hot and dry weather has further reduced yield potential, especially in the Balkan countries.

The 2020 rapeseed production forecast for the EU-27+UK has remained unchanged at 17.0 mln t. Last year’s crop stood at 16.8 mln t.


August 2020

Brussels, 24 August 2020 - In its fourth forecast for the 2020 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 295.5 mln t. This is down from the 299.2 mln t seen in the third forecast in June and 16.1 mln t down from the 2019 level of 311.6 mln t.

Wheat production (excluding durum) is seen at 129.1 mln t down from the previous 129.7 mln t and from last year’s 146.8 mln t. Significant downward revisions in France and the Balkan countries are not completely offset by upward revisions in Poland, the Baltic countries, and Scandinavia.

The EU’s 2020 barley production is now forecast at 62.5 mln t, down from the 63.4 mln t seen in the previous forecast, but up from the 62.1 mln t last year. The downward revision is mainly due to lower yields in France.

The EU’s 2020 corn crop is revised down to 64.6 mln t from the previous forecast of 66.8 mln t. Last year’s crop was at 64.8 mln t. Hot and dry weather has reduced yield potential in France, Germany and the Balkan countries.

The 2020 rapeseed production forecast for the EU-27+UK has been revised up from 16.5 mln t to 17.0 mln t as actual yields Germany, Poland and the Baltic countries were better than previously expected. Last year’s crop stood at 16.9 mln t.


June 2020

Brussels, 8 June 2020 - In its third forecast for the 2020 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 299.2 mln t. This is down from the 301.8 mln t seen in the second forecast in March and 12.6 mln t down from the 2019 level of 311.8 mln t.

Wheat production (excluding durum) is seen at 129.7 mln t down from the previous 135.4 mln t and from last year’s 146.8 mln t. The downward revision is mainly due to a significant yield reduction in France, Germany, and Denmark due to dryness.

The EU’s 2020 barley production is now forecast at 63.4 mln t, up from the 61.5 mln t seen in the previous forecast and from the 62.1 mln t last year. This is also due to a higher than previously expected crop in Spain.

The EU’s 2020 corn crop is revised up to 66.8 mln t from the previous forecast of 65.5 mln t. Last year’s crop was at 64.9 mln t. The corn acreage is seen benefiting from the wet planting campaign for winter grains. It is therefore seen at 9.2 mln ha versus 8.6 mln ha in 2019. The most notable year-on-year increases in production are expected for France and Germany.

The 2020 rapeseed production forecast for the EU-27+UK has been revised down from 17.0 mln t to 16.5 mln t mainly due to further downward revisions in Germany, France, the UK, and Romania. Last year’s crop stood at 16.9 mln t.


March 2020

Brussels, 17 March 2020 - In its revised forecast for the 2020 crop, COCERAL sees the total grain crop in the EU-27+UK at 301.8 mln t. This is marginally down from the 302.7 mln t seen in the first forecast and 6.1 mln t down from the 2019 level of 307.9 mln t.

Wheat production (excluding durum) is seen at 135.4 mln t down from the previous 137.9 mln t and from last year’s 145.7 mln t. The expected decrease is mainly due to a further significant acreage reduction in the UK due to abundant rains during the planting season last fall.

The EU’s 2020 barley production is now forecast at 61.5 mln t, up from the 60.8 mln t seen in the first forecast, but down from the 62.2 mln t last year. This is mainly due to a higher than previously expected spring barley area in the UK which is expected to benefit from lower winter wheat and rapeseed plantings.

The EU’s 2020 corn crop is still expected to reach 65.5 mln t and thus more than last year’s 61.0 mln t. The corn acreage is seen benefiting from the wet planting campaign for winter grains. It is therefore seen at 9.0 mln ha versus 8.5 mln ha in 2019. The most notable year-on-year increases in production are expected for France, Germany and Poland.

The 2020 rapeseed production forecast for the EU has been slightly revised down from 17.1 mln t to 17.0 mln t as a further downward revision in the UK’s acreage has not been offset by a higher acreage in France.


January 2020

Brussels, 20 February 2020 - In its first forecast for the 2020 crop, Coceral sees the EU total grain crop at 302.7 mln t. This is down from the 2019 level of 308.9 mln t.

Wheat production (excluding durum) is seen at 137.9 mln t, down from last year’s 145.7 mln t. The expected decrease is mainly due to a significant acreage reduction in France, Germany, Denmark and particularly the UK due to abundant rains during the planting season last fall. France, Denmark, and the UK are also forecast to see lower yields than last year.

The EU’s 2020 barley production is forecast at 60.8 mln t, down from 62.2 mln t last year. This is mainly due to an expected return in winter barley yields from last year’s exceptionally good levels in France and the UK to average levels, which cannot be completely offset by higher spring barley areas and yields.

The EU’s 2020 corn crop is expected to reach 65.0 mln t and thus more than last year’s 61.0 mln t. The corn acreage is seen benefiting from the wet planting campaign for winter grains. It is therefore seen at 9.0 mln ha versus 8.5 mln ha in 2019. The most notable year-on-year increases in production are expected for France, Germany and Poland.

The 2020 rapeseed production forecast for the EU stands at 17.1 mln t which only marginally higher than last year’s disappointing level of 16.7 mln t. France and Romania are expected to see a further decrease in acreage, whereas Germany should see a slight recovery from the very low level in 2019. EU-wide yields are seen only slightly better than last year, with improvements expected for Germany, France, and Romania, but lower levels for the UK and Denmark.

Please note that the methodology used to complete the COCERAL crop forecast remains the same as usual, the only change in this year’s forecast is related to the UK crop data. As you will see attached, our COCERAL Crop estimates are presented in two versions, ‘EU-27’ and the ‘EU-27 plus UK’. 


December 2019

Brussels, 11 December 2019 - In its fourth estimate for the 2019 crop, Coceral sees the EU total grain crop at 307.8 mln t. This is up from the September estimate of 304.9 mln t and significantly up from last year’s crop when farmers harvested 281.3 mln t of grains.

Wheat production is seen at 145.0 mln t, up from the 143.3 mln t seen in September and well above the 126.9 mln t in 2018. Crop estimates for Spain, Hungary and the Baltic countries have seen the most significant upward revisions, with actual yields being better than previously estimated.

The EU’s barley production forecast for 2019 stands at 62.1 mln t, up from 60.8 mln t in the September forecast and from 56.0 mln t last year.

The EU’s corn crop forecast has been revised down marginally from 61.6 mln t to 61.5 mln t (last year: 61.3 mln t).

The rapeseed production forecast for the EU has been reduced from 17.3 mln t to 17.1 mln t due to further reductions in the French, German, Lithuania’s and the UK’s crops. In 2018, the EU’s rapeseed crop stood at 20.1 mln t.


September 2019

Brussels, 20 September 2019 - In its third estimate for the 2019 crop, Coceral sees the EU total grain crop at 304.9 mln t. This is up from the May forecast of 301.0 mln t and significantly up from last year’s crop when farmers harvested 281.5 mln t of grains.

Wheat production is seen at 143.3 mln t, up from the 140.3 mln t seen in May and well above the 128.8 mln t in 2018. Crop estimates for France and the UK have seen the most significant upward revisions, with actual yields being better than previously forecast.

The EU’s barley production forecast for 2019 stands at 60.8 mln t, up from 59.0 mln t in the May forecast and from 56.0 mln t last year.

The EU’s corn crop forecast has been revised down from 62.9 mln t to 61.6 mln t (last year: 59.9 mln t) mainly due to downward revisions in Germany and France due to hot and dry weather during pollination.

The rapeseed production forecast for the EU has been reduced from 17.9 mln t to 17.3 mln t due to further reductions in the French, German, and the UK’s crops. In 2018, the EU’s rapeseed crop stood at 20.0 mln t.


May 2019

Brussels, 21 MAY 2019 – In its second forecast for the 2019 crop, Coceral projects the EU total grain crop at 301.0 mln t.

This is slightly up from the March forecast of 298.5 mln t and significantly up from last year’s crop when farmers harvested 281.0 mln t of grains.

Wheat production is seen at 140.3 mln t, up slightly from the 139.8 mln t seen in March and well above the 127.4 mln t in 2018. After a dry fall in 2018 and a dry period of 6 weeks in March and April, growing conditions have stabilized recently thanks to rains.

The EU’s barley production forecast for 2019 stands at 59.0 mln t, down from 59.4 mln t previously, but up from 56.1 mln t last year.

The EU’s corn crop forecast has been revised up from 61.0 mln t to 62.9 mln t (last year: 60.9 mln t) mainly due to a much higher than previously expected acreage in Germany and Romania.

The rapeseed production forecast for the EU has been reduced from 18.6 mln t to 17.9 mln t due to a sharp reduction in the French crop.