Germany: Grain Up Over 15%
4 March 2008 Germany’s grain crop is expected to be over 15% bigger than last year, reaching 47 million metric tons (MMT), compared to 40.6 MMT in 2007/08.
The US Dept. of Agriculture’s Foreign Agriculture Service (USDA-FAS) notes that mild temperatures in the winter months and adequate rains during vegetation have helped the crop notch a 10% yield increase to go along with a 5.5% larger area, mainly in winter wheat.
However, not all analysts expect so favorable a season. The Raiffeisen Association of cooperatives in the country forecasts a total grain harvest of 45 MMT for 2008/09, and the European Commission predicts grain production to be even lower at 44.2 MMT.
FAS Germany says its forecast is based on the relative share of high yielding winter grains, which is noticeably larger than in 2007. In addition, rains have been excessive during recent weeks, saturating the soils, while most recent dry weather and expected sunshine in the coming days provides the opportunity for farmers to get on the fields for pesticide and fertilizer application. Since prices are high, it is likely that farmers will intensify their plant protection and fertilization efforts to improve yields.
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