Germany: Grain production estimated at 35.6 mln tonnes

The German Farmers Association DBV has revised its estimation of 2018 German grain production to 35.6 mln tonnes, 0.4 mln tonnes below the organisation’s last estimate on 1 August.

The DBV’s final harvest report places German grain production 26% below the five year average and the lowest level since 1993. This is in line with estimates from other organisations, with the association of German farm cooperatives (DRV) estimating grain production to fall to 36.3 mln tonnes, as at 8 August. In addition, the first estimate of the 2018 German grain crop (excluding maize) from the German Federal Statistical office has placed production as the lowest since 1994.

Winter wheat production is expected to fall to 18.6 mln tonnes, down 23% from 2017 and 6.7 mln tonnes below the five year average (2013-2017). The DBV’s estimate currently sits 0.6 mln tonnes below both the Federal Statistical office’s first estimate and DRV’s estimate and the final number for winter wheat production remains to be seen.

The organisations estimate for Winter OSR production pegs the crop at 3.3 mln tonnes, 0.2 mln tonnes below official statistics and 36% below the five year average. Winter barley production is estimated at 7.4 mln tonnes, down 18% from the previous year.

The drought has hit crops hard in Germany this year, with the German government pledging around €340 million in aid for farmers after drought.