Germany expects smaller 2023 grain harvest

Unfavourable weather impacts crop yield

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Germany anticipates a reduced 2023 grain harvest due to adverse weather conditions, with an estimated 2.9 percent decrease in the total grain crop, including corn, compared to the previous year. Winter wheat production is expected to decline by 6.0 percent year-on-year, while winter rapeseed will see a 3 percent decrease. Late summer rain damaged wheat quality.

Agriculture Minister Cem Oezdemir pointed out the climate crisis's impact on German farming, with erratic weather causing crop stress. Despite these challenges, the overall harvest is considered "satisfactory." The grain crop is down 1.4 percent compared to the 2017-2022 average, and wheat is down 5.2 percent during this period. Weather fluctuations, from a mild winter to late frosts and drought, contributed to these declines.

Oezdemir emphasized the agricultural sector's role in addressing climate change. Germany is the EU's second-largest wheat producer and a significant rapeseed producer. Despite rain-related delays, the grains harvest is nearly complete.

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