This spring growing season, which has been described by HGCA as "less than ideal" has resulted in variable cereal yields, although quality is reportedly on par with previous years. Towards the East of Europe, progress has been slowed by rainfall.

In France, where harvest operations began at the end of June, the winter barley harvest was completed last week. The progress has been rapid due to the harvest starting 10 days earlier than last year and dry weather.

However, yields are reportedly lower than in 2010, at around 6 tonnes per hectare, compared to 6.5t/ha in 2010. However, quality is deemed to be satisfactory with protein content reported between 9.5% and 11.5%; this is adequate for malting purposes and will come as a relief to those who speculated there may be a shortage this year.

By the second week of July, the soft wheat harvest was close to 25% complete with the largest progress made in the South of the country. In a similar state of affairs as the barley harvest, French analysts Agritel reported disappointing yields but satisfactory quality.  

The latest news from France's General Association of Wheat Producers (AGPB) suggests wheat crops are likely to see a 13 per cent decrease this year at 31 million tonnes, compared to 35.7 million last year. The decrease has been blamed on the spring drought, which hit France’s wheat growing regions particularly hard.

Nevertheless, the country recorded record exports in 2010, emptying its stocks, according to AGPB, as the demand of French wheat was so high; this means fewer opportunities for exports in 2011-2012 season. France accounts over half of all EU wheat exports. The record amount of 13 million tonnes of wheat sold in 2010 went for 6 billion euros according to AGPB’s figures.

German weather improves after spring drought, Spain yields up

Although recent weather in Germany has been beneficial, with sunshine and evenly distributed showers, yields in the country are reportedly variable.

HGCA has said that, although the winter barley harvest is progressing rapidly due to the clement weather, analysts Agrarmarkt Information (AMI) have announced expected losses of between 15 and 20 per cent. The German wheat harvest is due to start at the end of July.

In Spain, the durum wheat harvest is almost complete and the barley and soft wheat harvests are well underway. European analysts Strategie Grains forecast wheat yields at around 3.6t/ha (0.5Mt higher than 2010) and barley yields at 3.15t/ha. Even so, HGCA assured that Spain remains an important export destination for UK grain. Over 675kt of grain were exported to Spain between Jul-May 10/11. However, although Italy has traditionally been an export destination for UK grain, increased competition from Black Sea regions has recently made it more difficult for UK wheat to reach Italian markets.

The variable yields cut in Europe this year have been dependent on the soils’ ability to retain moisture during the spring drought. Nevertheless, the cereal crop’s quality is currently believed to be comparable to previous years’, although further progress is required before an accurate assessment can be made.

In parts of France and Eastern Europe rainfall has hindered harvesting progress. There are hopes that this will decrease in time for the bulk of the wheat harvest over the next few days and into early August.