The EU Commission raised forecasts for cereal production in the bloc by nearly six percent in its latest Balance Sheet, presented to the Management Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets last week.

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In its Balance Sheet, the Commission predicts that cereal production in EU 27 states over 2013 will reach 287.6 million tonnes, a 5.6 percent increase on 2012 levels. The estimated rise in production stands above the increase in growing area, which is thought to have expanded by 0.2 percent since 2012 to about 57 million hectares.

The Commission forecast suggests European farmers have sown more this year, as a result of good returns for the grain last year. Throughout the EU as a whole, average wheat yields are estimated at 5.1 tonnes per hectare.

Early last month, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation intimated that the EU may drive up global production of some cereals this year. FAO said wheat production in 2013 would be spurred on by increases in the EU, which as a bloc is the largest wheat producer in the world.

Apart from the UK, where wet weather has been a consistent hindrance since mid-2012, conditions for the current season have been relatively good. In France, some regions are still suffering the after-effects of last year's excessively wet weather. The relatively mild winter also meant that no major frost damage has so far been reported.

More information is available from the Commission Here