Europe: Heat hits European grain crops

Extremely hot weather in southern Europe last month has led agriculture experts to cut their forecast for European Union barley output, EuroNews commented on July 14.

Drought in Spain and Portugal has halved the cereals crops and caused billions of euros worth of damage. It is estimated those two countries will have to import almost 17 tons of grain this season. Cool wet conditions at the start of July in France and Hungary added to the problem, leading to fears of a deterioration in grain quality. The wheat trade within the EU is expected to increase with Spain and the Benelux countries needing to import more from Britain and Germany.

20 July, 2005