According to the updated assessment of the European Commission, soybean production in the EU countries this year is likely to be lower despite an increase in sowing areas. The most noticeable decrease is observed in Romania, as reported by UFOP - the Union for the Promotion of Oilseed and Cereal Cultivation, founded by the German Farmers' Association.
In its current assessment, the European Commission slightly lowered the forecast for soybean production in the EU. This year, slightly less than 2.8 million tons were harvested, which is about 10 thousand tons less than the previous year, despite a 10% increase in sowing areas. The main reason was the decrease in yield due to unfavorable weather conditions. The average yield in the EU was 25.7 hundredweight/hectare, lower than both the previous year's results (28.3 cwt/ha) and the average for recent years (28.1 cwt/ha).
Balkan countries, especially Romania, suffered from a decrease in yield. Due to drought, the crop in Romania dropped to 171 thousand tons, approximately 44% lower than last year's figures, despite an almost 10% increase in sowing areas.
It is reported that Hungary produced 50% more soybeans than the previous year, harvesting 260 thousand tons. However, considering the doubling of sowing areas, this is still below the average level.
According to the study by Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (mbH), Italian companies imported almost 5% less soybeans (1 million tons) compared to 2023, but remain the export leaders in the EU. However, their sowing areas decreased by almost 3% compared to the previous year.
It was earlier announced that the sunflower harvest in the Balkans is expected to be one of the lowest in a decade due to unfavorable weather in the region. Sunflower yield in Bulgaria reached 1.55 tons/hectare, while in Romania farmers expect even lower results - 1.45 tons/hectare.
