World Agricultural Production, August 2007. European Union: Estimated Corn Yield Lowest Since 2003 Drought

摘要

The USDA forecasts 2007/08 European Union (EU-27) corn production at 48.4 million tons, 6.8 million below last months estimate and 9.2 million below the five-year average. Harvested area is forecast at 8.4 million hectares, 0.2 million below last month and 0.3 million below last year. Yield is estimated at 5.76 tons per hectare, the lowest projection since the damaging heat and dryness of the 2003/04 season. Severe drought and extremely high temperatures prevailed in southern and central areas of the European continent during spring and summer, resulting in large significant soil-moisture deficits. Europe recorded one of its warmest springs in history, followed by record-setting heat during June and July. The dryness hampered corn planting, and the heat greatly accelerated plant development.