Europe is on track for a bumper cereals harvest – up 6.1% on last year – according to estimates from Copa-Cogeca.
Figures from the Brussels-based group representing farming unions and co-operatives, suggest this year’s harvest has reached 317.7million tonnes, from 299.5million tonnes the year before.
Wheat production across Europe is up 7.3% to 153.2million tonnes, while barley is up 2.8% to 58.1million tonnes.
According to Copa-Cogeca’s cereals and oilseeds working party, the increased production is a result of more favourable weather conditions, however quality is down in some countries.
The group’s chairman Max Schulman, from Finland, said farming unions and co-operatives needed to examine infrastructure across Europe to see whether it was adequate o transport the large volumes of grain and store it properly.
“We also need to ensure farmers have a good tool box at their disposal, like disease resistant plants, new and better varieties, research and development and good plant protection products,” added Mr Schulman.
“The phasing out of pesticides is hitting the sector badly which is particularly serious when we need to increase production to meet growing world food demand set to rise by 60% by 2050.”
In addition, farmers needed reobust financial tools to help them hedge against price risks, said Mr Schulman.
“The Single Payment must also be paid on time in order not weaken producers cash flow further.”
The estimates come a week after the first Scottish Government estimates predicted this year’s Scots cereal harvest to be the largest in 20 years at 3.3million tonnes.
The figures said favourable growing conditions had resulted in a 15% increase in yields, with wheat and barley production expected to be up around 45% – around 1million tonnes of wheat and 400,000tonnes of winter barley.
Meanwhile, first estimates from UK farm ministry Defra suggest overall UK wheat production is up 39% at 16.621million tonnes.
It estimates barley production to be down 1% to 7.027million tonnes.