Farmers anticipate typical yield this growing season
Farmers in Germany are keeping their fingers crossed for a good harvest this year, after a brutally dry spring saw many regions on the brink of disaster. However, timely rainfall has alleviated some of the stress, says farmer's president Joachim Rukwied.
"The rain came just in time in many regions," Rukwied shared with Deutsche Presse-Agentur. "We're not heading for a record harvest of grains and rapeseed, but the chance for an average harvest is there."
The consequences of the dismal spring were particularly pronounced in certain areas of Germany, but rainfall in the latter half of May and into June has brought much-needed relief. Rukwied added, "We didn't participate in the doomsday scenarios about drought that were being painted."
The annual harvest is set to begin in the weeks ahead, varying by region. This year's harvest may see a boost in crops like wheat and rapeseed, with production forecasts for both crops revised upward due to the April rains. Wheat prospects in Germany have significantly improved, with the 2025 wheat production forecast reaching approximately 21.5 million tonnes – an increase of 15.7% year-over-year and 16.3% compared to last year[1][3][4].
Corn and soybean crops are also progressing well, with sowing largely complete across Europe. Early crop development is proceeding as expected, although there were some delays in certain regions, such as Portugal and northern Spain, due to excessive rainfall[4].
For potatoes and sugar beets, the outlook is less clear, but the rainfall may have helped mitigate some of the early-season yield concerns stemming from the dry spell[4]. Rapeseed production forecasts have also been revised upwards, averaging around 3.92 to 3.97 million tonnes, an increase of roughly 8-9.6% from last year[1][3].
Despite the promising crop forecasts, farmers face tough market conditions, particularly with grain prices hitting record lows despite high energy, fertilizer, and plant protection product costs. With uncertain international markets, Rukwied expressed concerns about the future[3].
In the livestock sector, trends vary. While the dairy industry in Germany shows structural declines in output, suggesting ongoing challenges in livestock sectors like pork[5]. As for the wine sector, available information is scarce, but given that grapes are highly sensitive to water availability during spring, the dry early season followed by rainfall may have had mixed effects[1][3][5].
Overall, Germany's agricultural sector in 2025 is showing a cautiously optimistic outlook, with promising developments in key crops such as wheat and rapeseed. Regional variability and broader European drought impacts create a more complex picture in the wider agricultural market[1][3][4][5].
The April rains have resulted in revised production forecasts for crops like wheat and rapeseed, with an increase of around 15.7% and 8-9.6% respectively.
Corn and soybean crops are progressing well, while rapeseed production forecasts have been revised upwards, averaging around 3.92 to 3.97 million tonnes.
