FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/98 - EC (23 November)
Persisting showers in late October and early November in the United Kingdom, France, the Benelux countries, and Germany, continued to slow the last of the 1998 summer crop harvesting and hampered winter grain planting. However, the abundant moisture is generally beneficial for the establishment of the winter crops. Further south, except for some showers in mid- November, dry weather prevails over Portugal and southern Spain, helping summer crop harvesting and fieldwork for winter grain planting. Although no firm area estimates are yet available, the Community’s aggregate winter cereal area is expected to decline, partly reflecting adverse planting conditions in several countries, but also due to the 5 percent increase in the land set-aside requirement for the 1999 harvest.
FAO’s estimate of aggregate 1998 cereal production in the EC has been raised further since the last report to a record 214 million tonnes, 2.6 percent up from the 1997 crop. Wheat crops have performed particularly well in 1998 as a result of favourable weather conditions and above-average to record crops were recorded in most countries. Aggregate wheat production is now forecast at 103.8 million tonnes, 9 percent up from 1997. With regard to the coarse grains, barley, rye and triticale production are also forecast to increase from the previous year but output of oats will be reduced. Although the summer maize harvest has yet to be completed in several parts, latest indications confirm a significant reduction after last years bumper crop. Maize output is now forecast at some 35 million tonnes, compared to well over 39 million tonnes estimated for 1997.
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