A disappointing summer season for the harvest in southeastern Europe

The harvest of spring crops in 2025 is underway, with yields across the European Union (EU) expected to be close to or above average. Only grain maize and sunflower are severely affected in Southeastern Europe, reducing the EU outlook by 3 percent and 10 percent below the five-year average, respectively. In contrast, near or above-average yields for most spring crops are forecast in northern and western European countries. This is indicated by the October edition of the Joint Research Centre's (JRC) MARS Bulletin for monitoring crops in Europe. Favorable weather and field conditions from France to Poland and from Scandinavia to Italy have facilitated timely sowing with good germination and early crop development. In contrast, excessive moisture in parts of Bulgaria and Romania delayed the sowing of winter crops, while in Portugal, Spain, and parts of Eastern Croatia and Hungary, sowing of winter crops was delayed due to excessively dry soils. Uniform germination of crops in these ...