EU records worst corn harvest in 20 years at 50.2 mln tons

The European Union recorded its worst grain corn harvest in two decades in 2026. According to Eurostat and DG AGRI, EU corn production totaled 50.2 mln tons, down 12% from 57.1 mln tons in 2025 and 18% below the 2015–2024 average of 61.3 mln tons. Average yields declined from 9.8 t/ha in 2025 to 8.6 t/ha in 2026 (−12%). The planted area increased by 0.2% to 5.84 mln ha, while consumption rose by 2% to 60.3 mln tons, resulting in a production deficit of approximately 10.1 mln tons.

The shortfall was unevenly distributed across the EU. France harvested 7.8 mln tons (−30% from 11.2 mln tons in 2025), Hungary 3.1 mln tons (−43% from 5.4 mln tons), Romania 3.2 mln tons (−33% from 4.8 mln tons), Spain 3.0 mln tons (−27% from 4.1 mln tons), Italy 2.8 mln tons (−22% from 3.6 mln tons), Germany 2.6 mln tons (−19% from 3.2 mln tons), Poland 2.3 mln tons (−18% from 2.8 mln tons), and Bulgaria 1.5 mln tons (−29% from 2.1 mln tons). France and Hungary accounted for a combined shortfall of approximately 10.4 mln tons, representing around 80% of the EU’s total deficit.

The decline in production was driven by a two-stage climatic shock. In May–June, unusually high temperatures, 3–5°C above normal, triggered early flowering and shortened the growing season. In July–August, extreme drought, with precipitation 60–80% below normal, caused severe crop stress during the grain-filling stage and reduced kernel weight. The ESI index for the EU’s corn-growing regions stood at 0.12–0.18 in July–August 2026, below the critical threshold of 0.20.

Tags: EU, crop forecast, corn