Beet and potato yield forecasts are running 11% and 7% behind the five-year averages respectively across Europe, according to the EU’s latest crop-monitoring in Europe report.
The latest report has reduced the forecasted potato yield by 1% compared to last month, bringing the forecasted European average potato yield for 2026 to 34.2t/ha (13.8t/ac).
The reduced yield forecast is largely down to the drought conditions experienced across Europe this summer, with a drop in tuber bulking, secondary growth, premature senescence and tuber malformations reported across the continent.
Beet is also still suffering from the drought over the summer months. Forecasted European sugar beet yields are down 11% compared to the five-year average. This figure is 7% below last month's forecast.
The report notes that rain returned to most of Europe in the second half of August, but this was too late to improve the yield of many crops. However, southern Europe has had very little rainfall and is still seeing dry soils affect potato and beet crops.
France is faring badly across all crops as the high heats the country experienced, combined with a prolonged drought, affect growth and development in all major crops. The French potato and beet yield forecasts are nearing the record lows of 2020.
Soybeans and sunflowers
European soybean crops did not cope well with the extended dry period either. The yield forecasts are 15% under the five-year average at present after a further 2% fall since last month.
Sunflower prospects have improved, with forecasts now coming just under the five-year average. Higher-than-average yields are expected in Belgium and Romania, but these are offset by poor yields in France and Hungary.
SHARING OPTIONS