EU soybean harvest lower than last year due to severe decline in the Balkans

This year’s soybean crop in the EU is likely to be behind last year’s result, even though the planted area in 2024 has been expanded, according to an updated estimate by the EU Commission. The decline is particularly marked in Romania, notes UFOP, an oilseed and cereal crop promotion union founded by the German Farmers’ Association.

In its current assessment, the EU Commission has slightly revised the EU soybean production forecast downward. Just under 2.8 mln tons were harvested in 2024, about 10 thsd tons less than the previous year, although planted area increased by 10%. The decisive factor was lower yields due to unfavorable growing conditions during the period. With an average EU-wide yield of 2.57 t/ha, not only the previous year’s result of 2.83 t/ha, but also the long-term average of 2.81 t/ha could not be achieved.

The Balkan states, primarily Romania, were particularly affected by the decline in yields. Due to drought, the harvest there fell to 171 thousand tons, which is about 44% lower than last year, although the planted area expanded by almost 10%.

Hungary reportedly produced 50% more soybeans than the previous year, with 260 thsd tons harvested. However, given that the planted area doubled, this is also a below average result.

According to Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (mbH) research, Italian companies imported almost 5% less soybeans (1 million tons) than in 2023, but remain the leaders in exports to the EU. However, their planted area decreased by almost 3% compared to the previous year.

Earlier it was reported that the sunflower harvest in the Balkans is forecast to be one of the lowest in a decade due to unfavorable weather in the region. Sunflower yields in Bulgaria fell to 1.55 t/ha, in Romania, farmers expect even lower figures – 1.45 t/ha.

Tags: EU, soybean, crop forecast, Romania