Fighting farmers: fewer yields, falling prices for wheat and rapeseed

The combine harvesters have been back in Schleswig-Holstein since the weekend, as the harvest time is in full swing. The last winter rapeseed has been harvested in the past few days, and the work for wheat harvest has also started. However, the income from the winter barley continues to fall below the previous year.

harvesting and market pressure

The farmers report decreasing yields, while they are under pressure to sell their products profitably. While the first wheat yields in Schleswig-Holstein rather disappoint the expectations of farmers, the quality of the stocks is usually still acceptable. Despite these qualities, however, the yields remain behind the expectations.

global trends and their effects

The global range of grain is above average this year, but increasing worldwide consumption means that many farmers would rather market their harvest at a later date in the hope of better prices. Unfortunately, the fluctuating Matif courses for wheat press the prices in Germany, which provides further unemployment to the farmers.

The location of rapeseed and soy

The rapeseed harvest shows an even more worrying picture: the yields remain significantly below the average of previous years. Above all, the break-in of courses for US soy also led to a price pressure for rapeseed in Germany. The oil mills in Germany are currently acting cautiously, since the forecasts of a global care deficit in rapeseed have not yet led to price increases.

A look at the harvest forecasts

The harvest forecasts for the grain harvest in Germany are pessimistic. Experts estimate that the harvest will be 6 % below the previous year. According to a survey among farmers, 60 % of the respondents are dissatisfied with their yields, which shows that it is not only a lack of quantity, but also the quality of the harvest.

why you should take the situation seriously

The challenges with which farmers are confronted are not only limited locally. In France, too, farmers speak of massive losses, which underlines the importance of the situation. The loss of 10 million tons of wheat compared to the multi -year average, as estimated by AGPB, is an alarm sign for the entire industry.

conclusion

The current harvesting conditions and the associated challenges illustrate the fragile conditions in which agriculture is present. While the producers work tirelessly to increase their income, the weak market conditions are a serious threat to farmers in Germany and beyond. It remains to be seen how the market will develop and what measures will be taken to stabilize the situation.