EU: Poor barley crop conditions reported all around the Mediterranean

Mars reports poor barley crop conditions all around the Mediterranean (except Greece), particularly in Iberia and Maghreb. The Spanish barley crop forecasts range from 6.6 � 7.6 vs. 9 mln tonnes last year, H. M. Gauger GmbH said in their July report.

Italy suffers from a record heat and drought, particularly in the important Po valley, and will harvest a very poor crop.

For North Africa low barley yields are forecast: Algeria and Tunisia less than 1 tonne/ha, for Morocco half a tonne per ha.

France had suffered through a long drought in spring, which probably had a negative effect on the spring barley crop, in the southwest also on winter barley.

Germany increased its spring barley acreage from 300 to 360 thousand ha, much of it for feed varieties; crops look variable, but altogether correct.

Also, Poland and Central Europe report variable, but altogether rather good crop prospects.

North-western Europe, from Ireland through the UK to Denmark, was favoured weatherwise, prospects are for average yields and good quality crops.

The northeast - Finland and the Baltic states - were affected by cold weather and planting delays.