New EU crop forecasts for 2026

Barley production is forecast to decline to 58.2 million tonnes from 63.2 million tonnes, also due to yields declining to normal levels.

Yields are likely to decline from the exceptional levels seen in 2025, although rainfall in recent months has provided favorable soil moisture conditions, ensuring good crop development in many parts of the EU before winter. Wheat sowings are slightly higher than last year. Barley production is forecast to decline to 58.2 million tonnes from 63.2 million tonnes, also due to yields declining to normal levels. The largest declines in production are expected in Spain, following excellent harvests in 2025, and in the UK, where planting area is expected to decrease.

As farmers have been disappointed with corn harvests in recent years, sowings are likely to continue to decline, particularly in the Balkan countries and France, with farmers switching to other spring crops such as sunflowers and soybeans. If the forecasts are confirmed, EU corn plantings will decline by approximately 15 percent, from over 9 million hectares in 2020 to under 8 million hectares. Corn production in 2026 is projected to be 58.9 million tonnes, compared to 57.1 million tonnes in 2025.

Rapeseed yields are projected to be 21.8 million tonnes, the same as in 2025. The return of high 2025 yields to average levels will be offset by a significant increase in plantings, from 7.1 million hectares to 7.5 million hectares.

Tags: corn, barley, wheat, rapeseed