Sunflowerseed and corn yields fall significantly in Balkans due to drought conditions

Although Romania and Bulgaria are among the top sunflowerseed producers in the European Union (EU) alongside France and Hungary, this year had been quite challenging, the 16 October report said.

According to AgroPortal, sunflowerseed yields in Bulgaria were expected to drop by 16.2% to 1.55 tonnes/ha in Bulgaria and decrease by 32.5% to 1.45 tonnes/ha in Romania.

Against the five-year average, yields were expected to be lower by 29% and 34.7% respectively.

Corn yields have dropped even more drastically in Bulgaria as the crop is less resistant to water deficit, according to AgroPortal.

Yields in Bulgaria were estimated at 3.4 tonnes/ha, which would be 24% lower than the previous year and 40% lower than the five-year average.

Romanian corn yields were estimated at 3.5 tonnes/ha – 22% lower than in 2023 and 19% lower than the five-year average.

As general sunflowerseed availability in the Balkans and Black Sea region was expected to be 10%-15% lower this season, crushers would be impacted, the report said.

While corn and sunflowerseed yields had been impacted by weather conditions, wheat and barley crops in the region had thrived due to favourable climate conditions in the Balkan countries during the May-June period, AgroCrops said.

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Tags: European Union, drought, yield, Hungary, sunflowerseed, estimates, Balkans, Bulgaria, corn, Romania, France