FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE
U.S. MISSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

Last update:  July 10, 2008

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 Grain

Annual Report 2008

 

Following the reduced grains crop in MY 2007/8, this year's total EU grain crop is currently forecast to reach 286 MMT. The good planting conditions in late 2007, the high prices for grains and the removal of the mandated set aside requirement encouraged plantings. With winterkill limited, hopes are high for a good crop in both size and quality for MY 2008/9. Of course, as was demonstrated last season, much could occur between now and harvest to affect expectations. That aside, the improved crop prospects are currently forecast to lead to a partial recovery in the very low EU domestic stocks of grain, a return to a more traditional feeding pattern and a reduced reliance on imports - very unusually MY 2007/8 saw the EU a net importer of grain.spacer GAIN report E48050.

 

Crop update – things are looking up. Improved prospects for the EU harvest mean total grain production is currently expected to reach 294 MMT this summer. Within this total, wheat production is put at 142 MMT, barley at 62 MMT and corn at 57.4 MMT, all increased tonnages as compared to expectations two months ago. May and June have seen dry conditions in north Europe being more than offset by favorable growing conditions in both the south east and west. However, as was demonstrated last year, these changes remain subject to further revision pending weather conditions over the critical coming weeks. GAIN report E48072

 

 

- Continued suspension of grain import duties until 30 June, 2009

The suspension of grain import duties that was initially introduced to apply to imports carried out on the basis of import licenses from 4 January until 30 June 2008 will remain in force until 30 June 2009 unless market conditions were to make their reintroduction appropriate. GAIN Report E48065


- Commission presents proposal to temporarily suspend grains import duties (December 2007)

On 26 November, the European Commission presented its proposal to temporarily suspend customs duties on imports of certain grains for the 2007/2008 marketing year. spacerGAIN report E47103

- Council of the European Union adopts compromise to end intervention for corn (maize) (June 2007)

On June 11 - 12, 2007, the EU Agriculture Council adopted a proposal to end intervention for corn (maize). A ceiling of 1.5 million MT will be applied for the 2007/08 marketing year, and a subsequent ceiling of 700,000 MT will be applied in 2008/09. Intervention for corn will be phased out from 2009/10 onwards, although it may be reactivated in the event of sustained market disturbances. GAIN report E47046
 

 

Member State Reports:

bulletBulgaria | Grain and Feed Market Update (GAIN Report BU8008 - June 2008)
bulletGermany | Grain Prices and Crop Outlook (GAIN Report GM8023 - May 2008)
bulletGermany | Grain Crop Forecast at 47 MMT (GAIN Report GM8011 - February 2008)
bulletUnited Kingdom | UK cereal crop down 9 percent (GAIN Report UK7030 - October 2007)
bulletRomania | Drought and heat severely impact grains production (GAIN Report RO7006 - August 2007)
bulletBulgaria | Grains and Oilseeds Update (GAIN Report BU7025 - August 2007)
bulletBulgaria: Bread and beer market update (GAIN Report BU7024 - July 2007)
bulletBulgaria: EU accession impact on the grain and oilseeds sector. Update (GAIN Report BU7009 - May 2007)
bulletBulgaria: Grain and Feed Market Update (GAIN Report BU7018 - June 2007)
bulletGermany | Crop Update (GAIN Report GM6043 - June 2007)

 

 

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