The EU-28 protein crop sector is on target to achieve a 35% increase in production this year, according to new forecasts released by CopaCogeca, the European farm and farm cooperatives organisation.
This is in sharp contrast to EU-28 cereals and oilseeds production which is forecast to be down by 6.9%, in comparison to 2014.
Welcoming the protein increase as “good news” for the EU livestock sector and feed industry, CopaCogeca said the rise in production was due to the combined impact of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the EU’s greening requirements.
“We now have to ensure that this production find its way onto the market,” said the organisation.
The CAP (again) plus bad weather conditions in many countries, was blamed for the cereals and oilseeds decline which is set to leave the 2015 crop total at 298 million tonnes, compared with 320.5m/t last year.
“But it is still a good harvest, as last year there were record levels,” said CopaCogeca, who also drew attention to the impact of the neonicotinoid seed treatment ban and poor weather conditions on the EU-28 rapeseed harvest.
“This year’s rapeseed harvest is down by 11.2% compared to last year, mainly as a result of the seed treatment ban and the weather conditions,” said the organisation.
