On 15 June, and again on 8 July 2016, PROFEL voiced concerns about potential crop losses following exceptionally heavy rains in May and June, in the main producing countries in the North of Europe.
The cold and wet weather in the early part of the summer which delayed sowing and slowed crop growth,
was replaced by extreme heat and drought conditions in July and August, continuing to mid-September, which caused crop stress in a number of vegetables. The combination of two extreme weather patterns in the same growing season in the north of Europe has resulted in even lower field yields than predicted back in July. With the harvest of several crops either complete or nearing completion, vegetable processors and vegetable growers confirm that the yield losses for a number of crops are profound.
Average reductions in field yields reported in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany and the UK:
Crop Average loss
Peas 31%
Beans 20-25%
Spinach 30%
Baby carrots and Parisian carrots 37%
The green bean campaign is not yet completed, so the indicated 20-25% shortfall is an estimate. This prediction however, relies on the weather turning more favorable during the second part of September. In addition to the crops listed above, cauliflower, pumpkin, turnip, cabbage, red cabbage, salsify, Brussels sprouts, peppers and kale have also experienced yield reductions, with the German summer kale production reporting expected shortfalls of 25%.
Elsewhere in the East and South of Europe, exceptionally high temperatures often exceeding 40°C, have led to reduced yields in broccoli, beans, peas and sweet corn.
For more information:
Aline Rutsaert
Tel: +32 2 761 16 56