Forecast for 2026: Cereal production decreases after last year's recovery, while oilseeds and protein crops maintain positive momentum

The experts from the Copa-Cogeca Working Groups on Cereals, Oilseeds and Protein Crops foresee a more challenging year for EU cereals in 2026, while oilseeds are expected to achieve another strong harvest and protein crops maintain their positive momentum despite lower yields. However, the overall outlook remains heavily dependent on the weather, and the coming weeks will be crucial in confirming the final production, given that recent meteorological events may have a greater impact than initially predicted. Cereal production in the EU-27 is expected to reach around 264 million tonnes in 2026, which represents a decrease of 6.6% compared to 2025. Although the area of cereals is expected to contract only slightly for most crops, lower yields across much of the EU and a significant reduction in the area of maize are weighing on production prospects, following last year's recovery. This situation is partly linked to the current fertilizer crisis, although its impact on the 2026 ...