New EU crop forecasts in 2026

A decrease in barley production is forecast to 58.2 million tonnes from 63.2 million tonnes, also due to a return to normal yield levels. Yields are likely to drop from the exceptional levels seen in 2025, although recent rains have provided favorable soil moisture conditions, ensuring good development of crops in many parts of the EU until winter. Wheat sowing is slightly higher than last year. Barley production is forecast to decrease to 58.2 million tonnes from 63.2 million tonnes, also due to a return to normal yield levels. The largest decrease in production is expected in Spain after excellent harvests in 2025 and in the United Kingdom, where sowing areas are expected to decrease. As farmers have been disappointed by the corn harvest in recent years, sowings are likely to continue to decrease, especially in the Balkan countries and in France, and farmers will switch to other spring crops such as sunflower and soybean. If the forecasts are confirmed, corn sowings in the EU ...