Germany's wheat yields in 2022 below average due to drought

BERLIN, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Wheat yields in Germany is below average this year due to drought, the German Farmers' Association (DBV) said on Tuesday.

With an expected 21 million tons, yields were slightly above last year's level, but still 10 to 12 percent below the previous years' average, DBV said.

"Even in those regions where harvest volumes were a positive surprise, the findings are mixed," the farmers' association said, adding that the crude protein content, which also determines prices, was noticeably lower than in previous years. This was caused by weather conditions, but also by a reduction in nitrogen applications as a result of fertilizer regulations.

The northeast of Germany in particular has suffered from drought, DBV said. In July, temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius were recorded across the country.

The national average temperature in July reached 19.2 degrees, 2.3 degrees above the internationally valid reference period 1961 to 1990, according to DWD.

Germany's lower wheat yields come at a time when the supply situation on international markets is already tense. However, for the first time since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a cargo ship loaded with grain left the port of Odessa on Monday.