Germany cuts soybean crop estimate by 16% on weaker yields

Germany’s 2026 soybean crop estimate has been reduced to 133.8 thsd tons from around 159 thsd tons expected earlier in the summer. The new forecast is therefore about 16% lower than previous expectations, although production is still set to exceed the 2025 level.

The main reason for the revision is weaker yields following dry spells during the summer. Average soybean yield is now projected at 2.56 t/ha, down from 3.02 t/ha last year, or roughly 15% lower.

At the same time, Germany’s soybean area increased sharply by nearly 21% to 52.3 thsd ha. The expansion in planted area is helping offset a significant part of the yield losses and keep overall production above last year’s level.

Bavaria remains the country’s largest soybean-producing region, with output expected at 76.4 thsd tons, up 2% year on year. In Baden-Wuerttemberg, production could fall by 23% to 18 thsd tons despite a larger planted area, due to significantly lower yields.

UFOP views the expansion in soybean acreage as a sign of growing farmer interest in protein crops. At the same time, this season shows that even a substantial increase in planted area does not necessarily translate into higher production when weather conditions are unfavorable.

Tags: soybean, oilseeds, yield, Germany