Strategie Grains forecasts reduction of soft wheat area in the EU in 2024

Excessive precipitation during the sowing of winter grains in France and at least in Germany will reduce the total area of soft wheat in the European Union for next year’s harvest, worsen yields and support prices, according to the consulting company Strategie Grains.

In recent weeks, France has been experiencing almost continuously wet weather, which has resulted in almost no sowing in many parts of France.

“The 2024 soft wheat area in the EU-27 is currently estimated to be 0.9% below the 2023 level, and yields may not meet their potential, as was the case with the 2020 crop, especially in France,” the monthly report says.

Despite the fact that precipitation is also hampering the corn harvest in France, Strategie Grains raised its 2023 crop estimate for the third consecutive month to 61.0 million metric tons from 60.6 million last month.

“There is a serious contrast between the harvest results in Western and Northern Europe, where yields are good, and in the Southeast, where the results this season have been disappointing,” Strategie Grains said.

Tags: wheat, sown area, EU