Europe: Sunflower seed and corn yields fall significantly in Balkans due to drought conditions

Yield estimates for corn and sunflowerseed in the Balkans have dropped significantly due to drought and extreme temperatures, according to AgroPortal data. Although Romania and Bulgaria are among the top sunflowerseed producers in the European Union (EU) alongside France and Hungary, this year had been quite challenging, the 16 October report said. According to AgroPortal, sunflowerseed yields in Bulgaria were expected to drop by 16.2% to 1.55 tonnes/ha in Bulgaria and decrease by 32.5% to 1.45 tonnes/ha in Romania. Against the five-year average, yields were expected to be lower by 29% and 34.7% respectively. Corn yields have dropped even more drastically in Bulgaria as the crop is less resistant to water deficit, according to AgroPortal. Yields in Bulgaria were estimated at 3.4 tonnes/ha, which would be 24% lower than the previous year and 40% lower than the five-year average. Romanian corn yields were estimated at 3.5 tonnes/ha – 22% lower than in 2023 and 19% lower than the ...