In EU, lower cereal harvest in the next decade due to less planted area

The European Commission's medium-term forecasts indicate a slight decrease in the EU's total cereal area by 2032, with a decline in barley and maize balanced by an increase in wheat. Yields for these crops are expected to vary, with maize yields potentially rising due to improvements in eastern EU countries. The EU is set to remain competitive in cereal trade but may face stiff global competition. The oilseed area is projected to shrink by 9.7% by 2032, despite anticipated increases in soybeans and legumes, as yields are expected to improve. The EU's oilseed production is forecasted to reach 32.9 Mt in 2032, with a decrease in domestic demand for oilseed meals due to reduced animal feed usage. Vegetable oil consumption is anticipated to decline, with a shift towards sunflower oil and away from palm oil. The demand for feed from arable crops is projected to decrease by 4.7% by 2032 due to declining herds and a shift towards pasture-based production, with a potential increase in net exports from countries like Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary.