September 12, 2003

EU-15: Summer Crops Suffer from Heat and Drought

Corn Production Down Sharply

EU-15 corn production in 2003/04 is estimated at 32.0 million tons, a decrease of 2.5 million tons from last month, and 19 percent below last year's crop. Harvested area is estimated at 4.3 million hectares, unchanged from last month, but 1 percent below last year's level. The yield for this year's crop is estimated to be 7.37 tons per hectare, substantially lower than last year, and below the 5-yr average of nearly 9.0 tons per hectare.

Corn planting conditions were generally favorable in western Europe this spring, but the summer months have been unusually hot and dry. Most of the corn in western Europe is irrigated, but water use restrictions were reported in France and Italy in August while irrigation reserves in Spain have been adequate. There are reports that dryland corn in France and central Italy was devastated by unfavorable weather.

The drought in Europe has increased the demand for livestock feed by decreasing the production of hay and forage. The amount of corn that was originally intended to be harvested for grain, but ultimately used for silage is unknown. Corn area in Germany has steadily increased because of more suitable varieties and better returns. The trend was accelerated this year because many fields sown last fall were damaged by cold temperatures, and needed to be replanted with an alternative spring crop.   

Country Situation

France is the largest corn producer in the EU, followed by Italy, Spain, and Germany. These four countries usually produce around 90 percent of the corn in the EU. The proposed production of 32.0 million tons would be the lowest since 29.2 million in 1995.  The following reports were contributed by specialists at Post.

• France:  FAS/Paris estimates the 2003 crop at 11.7 million tons, below the French Ag Ministry estimate of 12.3 million (FR3046).  In addition to extremely poor yields due to drought (7.1 tons per hectare versus 9.1 in 2002), the sharp decrease in production is also caused by a 140,000 hectare drop in area harvested for grain corn.  Livestock farmers, short on forage and fodder, harvested their grain corn as silage corn.

• Italy:  The average yield declined by about 25 percent from last year.  The reduction was lower in irrigated areas, but there are larger drops (up to 40-50 percent) in dry lands.  Corn area is estimated to be 60 to 65 percent irrigated, mainly in the Po Valley.

• Spain:  Even though the corn crop is almost entirely irrigated, the onset of the heat hurt the newly emerged plants.  Pest pressure has also been heavy.

• Germany:  The Ag Ministry estimate is currently 3.4 million tons, compared to FAS/Bonn at 3.1 million (GM3030).  Yields are also down significantly from last year, but it not yet clear to what extent farmers harvested grain corn for silage.

Corn Statistics

The tables below represent the details of the official USDA EU-15 corn totals.  The practice of reporting official monthly statistics for each individual country within the EU-15 ended in May 2002.  The numbers that appear below are provided as a convenience to USDA customers, but users are advised that there is no longer an official USDA production estimate for any individual country within the EU-15.  The only official USDA estimates are the EU-15 totals, which are the sums of the individual country statistics listed below.

Sunflowerseed Production Down Significantly

EU-15 sunflowerseed production in 2003/04 is estimated at  2.4 million tons, 0.5 million less than last month, and 13 percent below last year's crop. Harvested area is estimated at 1.7 million hectares, unchanged from last month, but 4 percent above last year's level. The yield for this year's crop is estimated to be 1.40 tons per hectare, substantially lower than last year's level of 1.70 tons per hectare.

Sunflower planting conditions were generally favorable in western Europe this spring, but the summer months have been unusually hot and dry. Most sunflowers are not irrigated, so the lack of rain and extreme heat damaged the crop.  Sunflower area in the European Union has steadily declined in recent years, as farm program payments have been harmonized for grains and oilseeds.

Sunflowerseed Situation

France is the largest sunflowerseed producer in the European Union, followed by Spain and Italy. These three countries usually produce around 95 percent of the sunflowerseed in the European Union. The proposed production of 2.4 million tons would be the lowest since 2.3 million in 1984.  The following reports were contributed by specialists at Post.

• France:  To date, only early varieties of sunflowerseed have been harvested, with yields higher than average (2.1 tons per hectare), as they suffered less from the summer drought.  Late varieties are expected to have lower yields, as drought reduced seed weight (FR3046).

• Spain:  Central and Northern sunflowerseed producing areas have been badly hurt by heat and drought.  Losses may reach up to 50 percent in some non-irrigated Northern areas.

• Italy:  Sunflowers are planted almost exclusively in non-irrigated fields, as farmers prefer corn, and to a lesser extent soybeans, if they have irrigation support.  The production decline for sunflowerseed is estimated to be larger than corn.  According to trade sources, the domestic sunflowerseed crop will not exceed 220,000 tons, also taking into account an 8 percent area reduction from last year.

Sunflowerseed Statistics

The table below represents the details of the official USDA EU-15 sunflowerseed total.  It is provided as a courtesy to USDA customers and the numbers are listed separately to allow greater understanding of oilseed production in the European Union.

Other USDA Resources on the Internet

Web Updates

EU-15:  Grain Forecast by Country, 8/13/03
EU-15:  Oilseed and Rice Forecast by Country, 7/14/03
Germany:  Field Travel Reveals Conditions and Trends, 6/19/03
EU-15:  Grain Forecast by Country, 5/13/03
EU Enlargement:  Eastern Germany Crop Yield Increases Herald Changes in Central Europe, 1/13/03

Global Agriculture Information Network (GAIN) Reports

Attache Reports Home

France, Agricultural Situation, Impact of Drought on 2003 French Agricultural Production, 2003, FR3046, 9/9/03
Germany, Oilseeds and Products, Crop Estimate for Rapeseed and Sunflower, 2003, GM3027, 8/30/03
Germany, Grain and Feed, Grain Crop Update - Germany Releases Official Estimates, GM3030, 8/29/03
European Union, Oilseeds and Products Annual, 2003, E23144, 8/1/03
European Union, Grain and Feed Annual 2003, E23086, 6/2/03

Interactive Tools

For crop conditions in the European Union and throughout the world, visit Crop Explorer

For current and historical official USDA data on production, supply and distribution of agricultural commodities for the European Union and much of the world, visit PS&D Online

For more information, contact Jim Tringe james.tringe@usda.gov
with the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division, at (202)720-0882