TOTAL CEREAL production this harvest is below last year for many countries across Europe, according to the Home Grown Cereals Authority’s Michael Mendelsohn.

Improved weather has enabled good progress for many, but rain earlier this summer means wheat quality is variable.

Harvest is complete in Germany with the farm ministry expecting total cereal production to be 10.3% down on last year at 45.9Mt. Wheat production is 23.6Mt, which is 2Mt below last year, and regional quality variations can be seen. Barley output is also down 1.1Mt on last year at 11.8Mt.

Grain quality in Hungary is reportedly poorer than last year due to heavy rain earlier in harvest. The farm ministry has said total production is 15Mt, 1.7Mt below last year.

With grain harvest 99% complete, Ukraine’s barley production is down 1Mt at 9Mt. The agricultural ministry has forecast output at 41Mt, although total production is seen at 39.6Mt. However, analyst ProAgro is expecting wheat production to be 3.3Mt above last year at 18.8Mt.

Cereal production in Ireland is 25% lower than last year’s 2.5Mt, with harvest 80% complete.

In contrast, positive results have been seen in Sweden where recent dry weather has helped progress to reach 80%. Strategie Grains reports yields to be above 5-year averages for all crops.

Spring malting barley quality is very good with 10 – 11.5% protein and 85 – 90% screenings, but rain during harvest has caused varying quality for early wheat.