Coceral increases its grain production forecast in the EU

Coceral, the European association of agricultural product traders, has forecasted a rise in grain production for the region, expected to surpass the 2023 production by around 3.2 million tonnes. This increase is primarily due to higher production in Spain, despite challenges like record rainfall in northwestern Europe impacting winter cereal sowing. Specifically, the forecast anticipates wheat production to rise slightly to 134.5 million tonnes from the previous forecast of 134.1 million tonnes, while barley production is predicted to see a slight decrease to 59.9 million tonnes from 61.2 million tonnes. The EU-27 and UK's initial maize harvest is projected to reach 64.8 million tonnes, an increase from the March forecast and 1 million tonnes more than 2023's production. However, the rapeseed harvest forecast has been revised downward to 19.4 million tonnes from the previous forecast of 20.2 million tonnes and a significant drop from last year's production of 21.4 million tonnes.