Memo: Despite weather extremes EU-27 cereal production in 2013 expected to be higher than last year

In 2013 total cereal production in the EU-27 is forecast to be well above 2012 levels and above the average of the past five years.

This agricultural year has so far been marked by an unusually prolonged winter for western and central Europe and heavy rainfall in May and June. However, the impact of poor weather on crops in some areas of the EU has been offset in other areas; for example, the Iberian Peninsula is expecting an excellent season. This forecast, published by the European Commission, is based on analyses by the Commission's in-house science service, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), using an advanced crop yield forecasting system.