While 92% of corn has now emerged, well ahead of the 87% five-year average, dry conditions in the US have taken their toll on the crop.
The corn crop is now at a combined 61% good and excellent, down from 64% the previous week.
US soybean emergence is also far ahead of the average, reaching 86% while the five-year average stands at just 70%. Like corn, the condition of US soybeans deteriorated last week, falling to just 59% good and excellent, as against the 62% the week before, said the UK analysts.
The US winter wheat harvest has now reached 8% complete, with conditions increasing to a still very poor 38% good and excellent. The emergence of spring wheat is nearing completion at 90%, but condition scores dropped to 60%, down from 64% the week prior.
Almost all of Iowa is abnormally dry, reported the CRM Agri team.
Grain production down in the EU
Looking to Europe and COCERAL has reduced its EU 2023 grain production estimate from 303.5 to 296.7 Mt, with corn down 1 Mt to 61.3 Mt.
“The main reason for the downward revision in the crop forecast is the current dryness in the northern half of the EU. Crop expectations have been lowered significantly for Sweden, Denmark, and the Baltics. Production has also been revised down for Germany and Spain, where current rains came too late for wheat and barley.”
The French corn crop is not expected to recover significantly as plantings are lower due to high input costs, but the equivalent in Hungary, Romania and Italy is forecast to see an improvement on last year’s output, which was affected by severe drought and heat, according to COCERAL’s outlook.
