Russia Eyes Record Corn Harvest as EU Production Declines
· Tarım Pusulası
Favorable weather conditions are propelling Russia's corn production to record levels, according to the latest USDA report, while drought and extreme heat in Western Europe have pushed EU yields to historic lows.
USDA Global Corn Report
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated its corn yield estimates for the 2026/27 marketing year in its August World Agricultural Production report. The report, closely watched by global markets, presented starkly contrasting production projections for Russia and the European Union. While Russia's production expectations have been revised upwards, the European Union has seen significant declines. The data clearly highlights the divergence in yields and climate between these two major producing regions.
Russia Surges Towards Record Production
According to USDA data, Russia's corn production forecast has been increased by 9% compared to July and 16% compared to last year, reaching 17.2 million tons. The agency raised its yield expectation per hectare by 9% month-on-month to 6.88 tons. The harvested area is projected to expand by 9% annually to 2.5 million hectares. Favorable rainfall since May and positive signals from the Evaporative Stress Index are expected to enable Russia to achieve a historic record.
Historic Decline in the European Union
Across the European Union, the corn production forecast has been revised down by 7% month-on-month to 50.2 million tons. USDA data indicates this figure is 12% below last season and 17% below the five-year average, marking the lowest level seen since the 2007/08 period. The Union's harvested area is expected to shrink to 7.5 million hectares, the lowest since the 1990/91 season, with yields per hectare projected to decrease by 5% to 6.74 tons.
Drought and Heat Cause Losses
Extreme heat exceeding 35 degrees Celsius and drought conditions in Western Europe have led to grain corn fields being diverted for silage. The USDA has lowered its yield expectations by 1.5 million tons in France, where the most severe losses occurred, and by 1.2 million tons in Hungary. Downward revisions were also made for Poland, Slovakia, and Austria. Only Bulgaria stood out in the report as the sole region to successfully increase its production forecast, thanks to favorable weather conditions.