German Farmers’ Union forecasts grain harvest of 40.1 mln tons

The German farmers’ association DBV forecasts a grain harvest of 40.1 million tonnes in 2025. The expected figure is slightly higher than last year’s (39 million tonnes).

The crops were stressed by long periods of dry weather in the spring in several regions of Germany with light soils. Such soils do not retain moisture well. In areas with heavy soils, conditions were more favourable. “We expect an average gross harvest with large regional variations in yield,” notes DBV President Joachim Rukwid.

The area of ​​winter rapeseed has increased slightly this year. It currently stands at 1.1 million hectares. The forecasted yield is approximately at the same level as in the previous year and therefore lower than in the last five years. This is due, among other things, to the spread of pests such as the rape flea beetle.

The situation with potatoes, sugar beets and other vegetables such as onions, beets and red cabbage is particularly difficult. These crops are severely affected by the root leafhopper. The insects have spread further north – from Baden-Württemberg via Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria and Hesse. Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt are also affected, the head of the DBV noted.

Tags: wheat, Germany, crop forecast