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Production
Estimates and Crop Assessment Division |
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Production
Estimates and Crop Assessment Division |
June 19, 2003
In its official release on June 11, USDA forecast wheat yields in Germany to be higher than last year, although still below the 5-year average of 7.4 tons per hectare. The wheat crop is now in the critical period that will determine final yields. Last year, heat spikes halted plant growth, and reduced the wheat yield forecast by nearly one ton per hectare (a total of 2.7 million tons) in just a two month period. There have been temperature spikes again in 2003, although plants will probably fare better than last year because a spring dry period forced them to develop extensive root systems for scavenging water. In addition, many places had good rainfall before the heat started, and frequent thunderstorms have provided timely moisture. Wheat is expected to be harvested in August.
In northern Germany, winter barley and rapeseed fields were damaged by cold temperatures in January and February, similar to the situation in 1996. In places, farmers planted spring varieties to replace damaged winter crops. Spring barley yields are around 1.5 tons per hectare lower than winter barley, and this year there is more spring barley area than usual. Barley yield is forecast to be lower than last year, and below the 5-year average of 5.9 tons per hectare. The first FAS estimate for rapeseed production will be published on July 12, 2003.
Click between Berlin and Hamburg on the map below to see photographs from recent field travel, and a comparison of satellite imagery from April 2002 and April 2003.
Corn production in Germany has doubled since 1991, from less than 2.0 million tons to 3.9 million forecast this year. Corn varieties have been developed that make it an attractive cash crop, even as far north as the state of Sachsen Anhalt, roughly the same latitude as Berlin. The short growing season means that farmers must harvest grain high in moisture, and then spend additional funds on drying. Planted area for corn has been rising, up 15 percent from 2002, according to Statistisches Bundesamt, the German Federal Statistics Office. FAS Washington is forecasting harvested area to be 440,000 hectares this year.
Rye area is forecast to be 550,000 hectares in 2003, a 180,000 hectare decrease from last year, and the lowest area on record since 1961. Many farmers report they are getting out of rye production because of an impending change to the Common Agricultural Policy. Rye is a poor livestock feed ingredient, but it is inexpensive to grow on sandy soils. Stocks grew to record levels when farmers started to plant higher-yielding hybrid rye varieties on better quality soils. Most farmers have switched to other crops such as wheat and rapeseed where possible, but in some fields the only alternative to rye is potatoes or grassland.
EU-15: Oilseed Forecast by
Country, coming in July 2003
EU-15: Grain Forecast by Country, 5/13/03
EU Enlargement: Eastern Germany Crop Yield Increases Herald Changes in
Central Europe, 1/13/03
Germany, Rapeseed Harvest - Update,
GM2020,
10/23/02
Germany, 2002 Grain Crop,
GM2013,
8/29/02
Germany, Grain Harvest 2002,
GM2014,
8/16/02
Germany, 2002 Grain Crop Forecast - Update,
GM2012,
6/27/02
Germany, Oilseeds and Products Annual,
GM2008,
6/3/02
Germany, Grain and Feed Annual,
GM2004,
3/1/02
For timely crop conditions in the European Union and throughout the world, visit Crop Explorer
For current and historical official USDA data on production, supply and distribution of agricultural commodities for the European Union and much of the world, visit PS&D Online
