Agricultural production - crops

Data extracted on 27 October 2025.

Planned article update: November 2026.

The EU produced 257.7 million tonnes of cereals in 2024, 5.1% less than in 2023.

Mixed developments among types of cereal: among others, common wheat and spelt production in 2024 was down sharply (-11.4%), barley was up (+3.4%) and grain maize down (-3.4%).

Despite a lower EU cereal harvest in 2024, the output prices of all cereals fell back further (an average 13.5%) from their highs in 2022.

Production of main cereals, EU, 2010-2024

Editorial note: Throughout this article, which deals with time periods when the United Kingdom was a Member State of the European Union, the acronym EU, however, refers to EU-27, the post-Brexit composition of the European Union as of 1 February 2020.

Crops can be broadly divided into two main categories: annual and perennial.

Annual crops complete their life cycle within a single growing season, typically within one year. They can be can be subdivided into

winter crops, such as wheat, rapeseed, rye and triticale, which are sown in autumn and harvested in the summer of the following year, and

spring and summer crops, such as maize, sunflowers, rice, soybeans, potatoes and sugar beet, which are sown in spring and harvested within the same year. Barley is common in both its winter and spring varieties.

Perennial crops, also called permanent crops, survive for more than two growing seasons, often for many years. They include fruit trees and grapevines, which can grow continuously or die back and regrow each season.

When deciding which annual crops to grow, farmers consider agronomic factors (for example, crop rotations and soil conditions), the availability of labour and machinery, input costs (for example, of seeds and fertilisers), expected market returns, and policy incentives or restrictions. These factors can influence the type and output of crops from year to year and across regions.

Crops need specific conditions to grow well, including sunlight, water, air, favourable temperatures and healthy soils. Farmers also depend on suitable weather and soil conditions to plant, tend and harvest their crops successfully. The weather is a crucial factor for crop productivity. For example, late spring frosts can damage the leaves of cereals and blossoms of fruit trees. Drought and heatwaves can reduce yields, while strong winds and heavy rainfall can compromise both yields and crop quality.

Weather not only influences the quantity of crops harvested but also their quality. The resulting variability in crop quantities and qualities affects market prices by altering the balance of supply and demand. Hence, production levels and prices are often discussed together.

The EU covers a large and climatically diverse area. This means that poor impact of weather conditions in one region can be balanced by better conditions and production outcomes in another. However, when a particular crop is mainly grown in a few regions, the EU’s overall production can be more vulnerable to adverse weather conditions and pest outbreaks.

The statistics on crop production in this article are shown at a national level and represent a selection of over 100 different crop products for which official statistics are collected.

Agrometeorological summary

Among meteorological factors, precipitation and temperature are particularly important for yields and production levels, as these determine crop stress due to water excess/deficit and temperature extremes, respectively. The 2024 crop year in the EU was influenced by extreme weather events in terms of both temperatures and rainfall ^[1].

The key seasonal impacts were as follows

Autumn 2023: wetter conditions delayed sowing and the establishment of winter crops; in central and northern Europe, winter crops were vulnerable to frost due to lack of snow cover

Winter 2023/2024: warmer than usual across most of Europe, except in the north. Wetter-than-normal conditions extended from the Benelux countries eastward through the North and East European Plains

Spring 2024: contrasting weather conditions; there was further wet weather in the Benelux countries, western Germany and much of France, but unseasonably warm and dry weather in Hungary, Romania and southern Greece

Summer 2024: warmer than usual in most of Europe and drier than usual in the south-eastern regions, while it was unusually wet in parts of the south-west, west, and north

Autumn 2024: Autumn 2024 started with above-average temperatures and drier-than-usual conditions in most of Europe

A full agro-meteorological report is provided at the end of this article, including a map that highlights summer rainfall distribution across the EU.

Cereals

The EU’s cereal harvest in 2024 was sharply lower than in 2023

In 2024, the harvested production of cereals (including rice) in the EU was an estimated 257.7 million tonnes. This represented a sharply lower level of production (-5.1%) than in 2023, reflecting a reduced production area and lower yields for many cereals that were impacted by either extreme temperatures or heavy rainfall in different regions (see the agro-meteorological report at the end of this analysis). Since a record 307.9 million tonnes were harvested in 2014, cereal production levels have fluctuated downwards (see Figure 1). This development has been underpinned by lower production areas; between 2014 and 2024, the production area of cereals reduced by 5.2 million hectares, equivalent to a decline of 9.5%.

France harvested 53.6 million tonnes of cereals in 2024, corresponding to 20.8% of the EU’s total harvested production. Among the other key cereal producing countries in the EU, Germany harvested 39.1 million tonnes of cereals (15.2% of the EU total), Poland 34.3 million tonnes (13.3% of the EU total), Spain 20.9 million tonnes (8.1% of the EU total) and Romania 17.9 million tonnes (6.9% of the EU total).

Inclement weather impacted on the harvested production of cereals in several EU countries, including France (down 16.6% compared with 2023), Romania (-14.0%) and Germany (-8.1%). The sharpest rates of decline were in Cyprus (a provisional -42.2%), the Netherlands (-30.6%) and Belgium (-29.8%). By contrast, there was a strong rebound in the level of cereals production in Spain (+74.9%), after the severe drought-affected levels in 2023.

Figure 1: Production of main cereals (million tonnes, EU, 2014-2024)
Source: Eurostat (apro_cpsh1)

Strong decline in the common wheat harvest

Common wheat and spelt is the most grown type of cereal in the EU, equivalent to 43.3% of all cereal grains harvested in 2024 (see Figure 2).

The EU harvested 111.6 million tonnes of common wheat and spelt in 2024, 14.3 million tonnes less than in 2023, a decrease of 11.4%. The reduction in the harvested production of common wheat and spelt in 2024 was due to both a decline in the production area (-7.3%) and apparent yields.

In 2024, the harvested production of common wheat and spelt in France was 9.3 million tonnes less than in 2023, equivalent to a reduction of 26.9%. Likewise, production in Germany was 3.1 million tonnes less than in 2023, equivalent to a reduction of -14.4%. The strongest rates of decline in the production of common wheat and spelt in 2024 were in Belgium and the Netherlands (both -39.1%), the combined reduction being 1.1 million tonnes compared to levels in 2023.

There were only a few EU countries where common wheat and spelt production levels in 2024 surpassed those of 2023. Among these, there was a strong rebound in the harvested production in Spain after the severe drought of 2023. The harvested production was 2.8 million tonnes higher than in 2023, the equivalent of an increase of 77.7%.

Figure 2: Production of cereals (%, EU, 2024)
Source: Eurostat (apro_cpsh1)

The harvested production of grain maize and corn-cob mix accounted for 22.9% of all cereals harvested in 2024.

In 2024, the EU produced 58.9 million tonnes of grain maize and corn-cob mix. Despite a 4.5% rise in the EU production area to 8.7 million hectares, harvested production was 2.1 million tonnes less than in 2023, the equivalent of a decline of 3.4%. There were sharp reductions in the harvested production of grain maize and corn-cob mix in Romania (a decline of 2.8 million tonnes, equivalent to -31.7%), Hungary (a decline of 0.9 million tonnes, equivalent to -15.1%) and Bulgaria (a decline of 0.8 million tonnes, equivalent to -33.2%), among others. By contrast, production levels were higher in France (an increase of 1.8 million tonnes, equivalent to +14.3%), Spain (an increase of 0.7 million tonnes, equivalent to +23.4%) and Germany (an increase of 0.5 million tonnes, equivalent to +11.4%), among others.

The EU’s harvested production of barley in 2024 was 49.0 million tonnes, which represented a slight rebound after the strong decline in 2023. With little change in the area of production in 2024 (-0.8% at 10.3 million hectares), the 3.4% upturn in harvested production reflected higher apparent yields than in 2023. There were considerable contrasts among key producer countries; there was a sharp rebound in the harvested production of barley in Spain (almost doubling to 7.4 million tonnes), Denmark (up 23.6%, an increase of 0.6 million tonnes) and in Sweden (up 47.7%, an increase of 0.4 million tonnes) but a slump in France (down 20.4%, a decline of 2.5 million tonnes) and Hungary (down 30.0%, a decline of 0.7 million tonnes).

The EU harvested 7.1 million tonnes of rye and maslin in 2024, which was 0.6 million tonnes less than in 2023. This decline, which was the equivalent of 8.3%, was almost entirely due to an 8.0% reduction in the production area in 2024. Much of this reduced area and lower level of production reflected changes in Germany, where the 2.6 million tonnes produced in 2024 was 0.5 million tonnes less than in 2023, on an area that was down 14.4%. Production was also lower in Poland (down 5.6%), the second key EU producer country (see Figure 3). With Germany and Poland accounting for nearly three-quarters of EU production, the increases in Spain (a doubling of production after the drought of 2023), Denmark (up 8.1%) and Sweden (up 11.5%), among other EU countries, were insufficient to offset reductions elsewhere.

There was a sharp rebound in the EU’s harvested production of oats in 2024. The 7.8 million tonnes harvested in was similar to the quantity harvested in 2022, and 31.7% higher than the 5.9 million tonnes harvested in 2023. This rebound reflected both a greater production area (up 9.2%) and much higher apparent yields. The harvested production levels in all main producer countries were much higher in 2024 than 2023: the increase in Poland was the equivalent of 7.5%; in Finland, it was the equivalent of 19.8%; in Spain it was 150.5%; in Germany it was 54.2%, and; in Sweden it was 51.3%.

Figure 3: Production of cereals by main producing Member States
(% of EU totals, 2024)
Source: Eurostat (apro_cpnh1)

Prices for EU cereals fell sharply once again in 2024

Prices for EU cereals fell sharply in 2024, albeit less strongly than in 2023. The annual percentage rates of decline were similar for each the main types of cereal; they varied between -15.2% for rye and winter cereal mixes, and 11.2% for oats and summer cereal mixes. Although the average price for cereals as a whole in 2024 was a third less (-35.7%) than in 2022, it remained one fifth higher than the level in 2020.

The downward correction in the average price of cereals gained momentum in 2023 and continued through much of 2024 (see Figure 4). The recent volatility in markets should be seen against the relative stability in prices stability over the medium term until late into 2020.

Figure 4: Developments of output price indices for cereals
(2015 = 100, EU, 2015-2024)
Source: Eurostat (apri_pi15_outq)

Potatoes and sugar beet

Two main root crops are cultivated in the EU: sugar beet, grown on 1.6 million hectares in 2024, and potatoes, grown on another 1.4 million hectares. Other root crops, such as fodder beet, fodder kale, rutabaga, fodder carrot and turnips, are specialist crops grown on a combined total of only 0.1 million hectares.

The EU is the world's leading producer of beet sugar, accounting for about one-half of global production. However, only 20% of the world's sugar production comes from beet sugar, the other 80% being produced from sugar cane^[2].

Sugar beet production and potato production in 2024 were both up on 2023 levels

Following the decision to end production quotas, the EU sugar sector – supported by the CAP – underwent a series of deep reforms to prepare it more effectively for the new challenges and opportunities this would bring. In 2017, EU farmers responded by sowing more sugar beet (the cultivated area across the EU was 16.5% higher than in 2016). The harvested production in 2017 reached a high of 134.2 million tonnes. There were subsequent reductions in sugar beet production (see Figure 5), underpinned by reduced sugar beet areas. However, the upturn in 2023 continued in 2024; the production area rose sharply in 2024 (+10.3%), underpinning the 11.4 million tonnes increase in harvested production (up 10.3%) to 121.6 million tonnes.

Three-quarters of the EU’s production of sugar beet in 2024 came from 4 countries; these were Germany, France, Poland and the Netherlands. Most of the increased EU production in 2024 came from Germany, France and Poland. Germany harvested 36.7 million tonnes of sugar beet in 2024, 5.1 million tonnes more than in 2023 (equivalent to an increase of 16.2%). Production in France was 2.0 million tonnes higher (equivalent to an increase of 6.6 %). Poland harvested 18.4 million tonnes of sugar beet, 1.5 million tonnes more than in 2023 (equivalent to an increase of 8.8%).

Figure 5: Production of sugar beet
(million tonnes, 2014-2024)
Source: Eurostat (apro_cpsh1)

The EU harvested 50.8 million tonnes of potatoes in 2024, which was 2.6 million tonnes more than in 2023 (the equivalent of a 5.5% increase). This overall rise was underpinned by higher production in Germany (1.1 million tonnes higher, the equivalent of an increase of 9.4%), France (0.6 million tonnes higher, equivalent to a rise of 7.3%) and Poland (0.3 million tonnes higher, the equivalent of an increase of 5.9%).

Figure 6: Production of potatoes and sugar beet
(million tonnes, 2024)
Source: Eurostat (apro_cpsh1)

Price downturn for sugar beet in 2024 but price for potatoes relatively unchanged
After 3 successive years of strong price growth (see Figure 7), the EU’s average price of sugar beet fell back strongly (down 10.3%) in 2024. Nevertheless, the average price remained 68.5% higher than the level in 2020. Similarly, the EU’s average price of potatoes remained relatively unchanged as an average over the year (+1.4%), following on from a steep upturn in 2022 (+43.6%) and 2023 (+30.0%). Within 2024, the price rises in the first two quarters were largely offset by declines in the last two quarters.

Figure 7: Developments of output price indices for potatoes and sugar beet
(2015 = 100, EU, 2015-2024)
Source: Eurostat (apri_pi15_outq)

Oilseeds

Sharp decline in overall oilseeds production in 2024

The EU principally cultivates 3 types of oilseed crop; the main 2 are rape and turnip rape, and sunflower, but there is also some soya. The EU harvested an estimated 29.1 million tonnes of oilseeds in 2024, about 4.3 million tonnes less than in 2023.

The harvested production of rape and turnip rape seeds in the EU was 16.6 million tonnes in 2024 (see Figure 8), which was 3.0 million tonnes less than in 2023 (equivalent to a 15.1% decline). This sharp decline reflected both a sharp contraction (-8.0%) in the production area of rape and turnip rape in 2024 to 5.7 million hectares, and sharply lower apparent yields.

The harvested production of sunflower seeds in the EU declined at a similarly sharp rate (-14.9%) to 8.4 million tonnes. This reduction of 1.5 million tonnes in production was entirely due to lower apparent yields, as the production area was 2.2% higher in 2024 at 4.8 million hectares.

By contrast, the harvested production of soya in the EU increased sharply (+7.3%) to 3.1 million tonnes. This higher production was underpinned by a sharp expansion in production area (+13.6% to 1.1 million hectares), as apparent yields declined.

Figure 8: Production of rape and turnip rape seed, sunflower seeds and soya
(million tonnes, EU, 2014-2024)
Source: Eurostat (apro_cpsh1)

Relative overall stability in oilseed prices in 2024 after sharp falls in 2023

The average output prices of oilseeds were relatively unchanged in 2024, after declining sharply in 2023 from their peaks in 2022; the average EU price of oilseeds in 2024 was 1.2% higher than in 2023. However, within the year, there was some upward momentum in prices during the last two quarters of 2024 compared to the same quarters of 2023 (see Figure 9).

Figure 9: Developments of output price indices for oilseeds
(2015 = 100, EU, 2015-2024)
Source: Eurostat (apri_pi15_outq)

Fruit

The EU supports the fruit and vegetable sector through its market-management scheme, which has 4 broad goals

a more competitive and market-oriented sector
fewer crisis-related fluctuations in producers' income
greater consumption of fruit and vegetables in the EU
increased use of eco-friendly cultivation and production techniques.

The EU produces millions of tonnes of fruit every year

The EU produces a wide range of fruit, berries and nuts. An estimated 35.2 million tonnes were harvested in 2024, of which 13.5 million tonnes were pome fruit (apples and pears), 10.7 million tonnes were citrus fruit (such as oranges, satsumas and lemons), 6.5 million tonnes were stone fruit (such as peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries and plums), 2.6 million tonnes were sub-tropical and tropical fruit (such as figs, kiwis, avocadoes and bananas), 1.3 million tonnes were nuts and 0.6 million tonnes were berries.

The 11.5 million tonnes of EU apples harvested in 2024 was 0.5 million tonnes less than in 2023, equivalent to decline of 4.4%. The 1.9 million tonnes of pears harvested was little changed (+1.7%) from that in 2023. The EU’s harvested production of stone fruit was 6.5 million tonnes in 2024, 3.0% higher than in 2023. The harvest production of citrus fruit in 2024 was 10.6 million tonnes, almost identical to the amount harvested in 2023 (+0.4%).

Italy, Poland and Spain are the main EU producers of fruit, but for some specific fruit other EU countries were key producers.

30% of EU apple production in Poland; just under one half of all EU oranges from Spain

Thousands of varieties of apple are grown worldwide, many of which have been created and selected to grow in varied climates. This has enabled commercial apple production to take place in all EU countries. Broadly speaking, 3 in every ten apples produced in the EU in 2024 (29.4%) were harvested in Poland. The other principal apple-producing countries were Italy (20.8% of the EU total) and France (17.0%).

By contrast, orange production and peach production are much more restricted by climatic conditions (see Figure 10); almost 94% of all oranges and peaches produced in the EU came from Spain, Italy and Greece.

Figure 10: Production of selected fruit
(million tonnes, 2024)
Source: Eurostat (apro_cpsh1)

Vegetables

Italy and Spain harvested a little more than 60% of the EU’s tomatoes in 2024. The Netherlands and Spain produced about 45% of the EU’s onions

The EU’s harvested production of fresh vegetables (including melons and strawberries) was 63.5 million tonnes in 2024, 3.5 million tonnes more than in 2023. Within the group of fresh vegetables, the harvested production of tomatoes increased by 5.7% to 16.9 million tonnes in 2024, that of onions increased by 10.8% to 7.0 million tonnes, and that of carrots increased by 7.9% to 4.7 million tonnes.

Just over 60% EU tomato production in 2024 was together harvested in Italy (6.0 million tonnes) and Spain (4.6 million tonnes). The harvested production level in Spain further rebounded in 2024 (+15.3% compared to the level in 2023), from the relatively low level in 2022. By contrast, the harvested production of tomatoes in Italy remained steady (+0.1%) in 2024.

Six EU countries were responsible for three quarters of the EU’s carrot production in 2024: Germany, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. There was higher production in 5 of these countries, the exception being in Poland (-3.1%); production was 6.8% higher in Germany, 5.2% higher in France, 11.0% higher in the Netherlands, 17.3% higher in Italy and 1.5% higher in Spain.

Six EU countries were also responsible for just over four-fifths of EU’s onions in 2024: the Netherlands and Spain produced about 45%, with Germany, France, Poland and Italy another 38%. Harvested production of onions in 2024 was sharply higher in each of these countries, ranging from +15.4% in Spain and +12.3% in the Netherlands to +5.2% in France compared to their relative levels in 2023.

Figure 11: Production of selected vegetables
(million tonnes, 2024)
Source: Eurostat (apro_cpsh1)

Grapes for wine

The EU is big player on the world's wine market; in 2020, it accounted for 64% of global production, 48% of consumption and 45% of the wine-growing areas in the world ^[3].

EU harvested production of grapes down slightly in 2024 but considerable contrasts between countries

The total harvested production of grapes for wine in the EU was an estimated 20.5 million tonnes in 2024. This was 0.4 million tonnes less than in 2023 and notably lower than the 25.7 million tonnes in 2018. France, Italy and Spain account for the vast majority of grape production for wine in the EU (see Figure 12). There were stark contrasts between them in harvest developments in 2024. In France, the production of grapes for wine slumped by -23.7% to 4.7 million tonnes despite the area only contracting 1.6%. By contrast, the harvested production levels in Italy and Spain both rose sharply (+13.1% and 12.2% respectively). These developments resulted in both Italy (6.6 million tonnes) and Spain (5.0 million tonnes) producing more grapes for wine in 2024 than France.

Figure 12: Production of grapes for wine (% of EU total, 2024)
Source: Eurostat (apro_cpsh1)

Olives for oil

The EU is usually the largest producer of olive oil in the world, typically accounting for around two-thirds of global production. Most of the world's production comes from southern Europe, northern Africa and the Near East, as 95% of the olive trees in the world are cultivated in the Mediterranean region. With production concentrated in a relatively small area, the effects of a disease outbreak can have significant implications. For this reason, steps are being taken as a precautionary measure against the spread of the Xylella fastidiosa bacterium ^[4] which arrived in Italy in 2013.

The EU’s harvest of olives for oil further rebounded in 2024

Olives often follow a two-year cycle, with a large crop followed by a smaller one. Sometimes the weather can make these cycles more pronounced. Individual countries can have cycles that run counter to one another.

The harvested production of olives for olive oil in the EU further rebounded in 2024 to 12.7 million tonnes. This level of production was 3.5 million tonnes more than in 2023. It was underpinned by a jump in production levels in Spain; the 7.8 million tonnes harvested in 2024 represented an increase of 67.1% compared with 2023, reflecting an upturn from the relatively poor harvests of 2022 and 2023. By contrast, production in Italy decreased by 4.4% to 2.2 million tonnes in 2024.

Figure 13: Production of olives for olive oil (% of EU total, 2024)
Source: Eurostat (apro_cpsh1)

Agrometeorological review

Autumn 2023

Excess rainfall in late August and early September delayed winter rapeseed sowing in southern Czechia, eastern Slovakia, Austria, and southern and western Poland. In Estonia and Finland, excessive wetness hindered sowing and emergence of winter crops, while dry soils caused similar delays in much of the Balkans.

In the second half of the autumn, overly wet conditions delayed sowing and establishment of winter crops, particularly in France, where the sown area decreased considerably compared to the five-year average. From October to late November, sharp temperature drops in central and northern Europe (Germany, Denmark, southern Sweden, and northern Poland) exposed vulnerable winter crops to frost risk due to the lack of protective snow cover.

Winter 2023/2024

Winter 2023/2024 was warmer than usual across most of Europe, except in the north. Wetter-than-normal conditions extended from the Benelux countries eastward through the North and East European Plains. Excessive rainfall hindered the emergence and development of winter crops and restricted field access for operations like (re)sowing spring cereals and fertilisation, particularly in France and Poland.

In central Romania, heavy rainfall led to suboptimal crop growth, while in eastern Romania and eastern Bulgaria persistent rain deficit adversely affected winter crops, particularly rapeseed, and reduced crop biomass accumulation in Sicily. In contrast, intense rainfall in northern Italy and most of Hungary replenished soil moisture and supported crop growth.

Winter cereals at various stages of de-hardening have largely avoided frost damage thanks to consistently and substantially above-average temperatures across most of Europe, except for a few colder-than-usual days in late February and early March.

Spring 2024

Spring 2024 was marked by distinct weather contrasts across the season and between regions.

Water excess continued in the Benelux countries, western Germany, and much of France, adversely affecting winter crops during flowering. The overly wet soils impeded field operations, increased pest and disease pressure, raised concerns about root anoxia, and delayed the sowing of summer crops. In northern Italy, in addition to root anoxia and delayed (re)sowing of summer crops by up to two months, fields were waterlogged, pollination was reduced, and field operations were hindered. Although the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula and the Catalan coast of Spain also experienced excessive rain, it helped alleviate the water deficit in areas that had been unusually dry in previous months.

Spring was warmer than usual in most of Europe, but severe cold spells occurred around 19-24 April in some central and north-eastern regions. The sudden overnight drop in minimum daily temperatures by more than 10 °C raised concerns for flowering fruit trees and other frost-sensitive crops in southern Sweden, Finland, central Germany, northern Czechia, western Poland, and parts of the Italian Alps.

At the EU level, yield forecasts for winter crops were strongly reduced due to excessively wet conditions in France, the Benelux countries, western Germany, and northern Italy, and due to dry conditions in Hungary, Romania, and southern Greece.

Summer 2024

Summer 2024 was warmer than usual in most of Europe and drier than usual in the south-eastern regions, while it was unusually wet in parts of the south-west, west, and north.

In the Benelux, the lingering effects of an overly wet spring delayed the sowing of summer crops, negatively impacting yields, while in Denmark, rain excess posed challenges for winter crops and extended the sowing period for spring barley. In central Portugal and parts of Spain, summer was among the three wettest on record since 1991. Aside from an intense heatwave in early August, temperatures were mildly above or near normal, resulting in fair crop conditions. Grain maize, sunflower, and sugar beet yields were above average, while potatoes and green maize yields were slightly below-average.

In north-eastern France, ongoing excess rainfall throughout summer maintained good soil moisture levels, allowing late-sown summer crops to catch up in development due to moderate temperatures. However, excess rainfall deteriorated the quality of winter crops in western and northern Europe.

In central and south-eastern regions, summer crops suffered heat stress. Prevailing above-average temperatures and intense hot spells shortened the grain filling period and caused early senescence of summer crops in Czechia, Slovakia, the southern regions of Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, and in parts of Greece. Results for Bulgaria and Romania were particularly poor due to heat stress, which was accompanied by dry conditions in southern Romania and southernmost Bulgaria.

Warm and dry conditions resulted in early and rapid harvest of grain maize, particularly in north-eastern Germany. However, the overly wet conditions during the emergence of potatoes, most notably in the north-west, increased pest pressure early in the season and limited yields. At the EU level, yields were below average for summer crops due to dry and hot conditions in central and south-eastern regions, with particularly poor outcomes for Bulgaria and Romania. In western regions, outcomes were fair due to favourable weather conditions, but with quality issues reported in western Europe.

Map 1: 2024 summer rainfall compared with the long-term average (% deviation from 1991-2023 average, based on cumulative values, 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2024)
Source: EC Joint Research Centre - Agri4cast project

Autumn 2024

Autumn 2024 started with above-average temperatures and drier-than-usual conditions in most of Europe. In south-western Romania and north-western and central Bulgaria, dry conditions negatively affected the emergence and initial development of rapeseed and winter cereals.

Exceptionally heavy rainfall in Valencia and Andalucía in late October during the DANA storm delayed autumn sowing, while localised flooding had only limited impact on arable land. Wetter-than-usual conditions in France and northern Italy delayed the completion of harvest of summer crops, while drought in the south (Sicily) raised concerns about durum wheat outcomes.

At the EU level, the 2025 sowing campaign for winter cereals recovered due to favourable conditions across most of Europe and winter rapeseed was in good condition despite adverse weather conditions in some regions.

Source data for tables and graphs

Download Excel file

Data sources

Crops statistics

Statistics on crop products are collected under Regulation (EC) No 543/2009 and obtained by sample surveys, supplemented by administrative data and estimates based on expert observations. The sources vary from one EU Member State to another because of national conditions and statistical practices. National statistical institutes or Ministries of Agriculture are responsible for data collection in accordance with EU regulations. The finalised data sent to Eurostat are as harmonised as possible. Eurostat is responsible for establishing EU aggregates.

The statistics that are collected on agricultural products relate to more than 100 individual crop products. Information is collected for the area under cultivation (expressed in 1 000 hectares), the quantity harvested (expressed in 1 000 tonnes) and the yield (expressed in tonnes per hectare). For some products, data at a national level may be supplemented by regional statistics at NUTS levels 1 or 2.

Agricultural price statistics

EU agricultural price statistics (APS) are based on voluntary agreements between Eurostat and the EU Member States.

National statistical institutes or Ministries of Agriculture are responsible for collecting absolute prices and calculating corresponding average prices for their country, as well as for calculating price indices and periodically updating the weights.

Price indices are reported quarterly and annually. Absolute prices are reported annually. The agricultural prices expressed in national currency are converted into euro by Eurostat using fixed exchange rates or financial market exchange rates, in order to allow comparisons between the EU Member States. Eurostat is responsible for calculating indices for the EU.

Context

There is a diverse range of natural environments, climates and farming practices across the EU, reflected in the broad array of food and drink products that are made available for human consumption and animal feed, as well as a range of inputs for non-food processes. Indeed, agricultural products form a major part of the cultural identity of the EU's people and its regions.

Statistics on agricultural products may be used to analyse developments within agricultural markets in order to help distinguish between cycles and changing production patterns; they can also be used to study how markets respond to policy actions. Agricultural product data also provide supply-side information, furthering understanding as regards price developments which are of particular interest to agricultural commodity traders and policy analysts.

Footnotes

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission produces a series of monthly bulletins. ↑
European Commission's Directorate- General of Agriculture and Rural Development: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/sugar/index_en.htm. ↑
For further information, see the overview of the wine market from the European Commission's Directorate- General of Agriculture and Rural Development. ↑
For further information see the plant health and biosecurity products pages of the European Commission. ↑

Explore further

Database

Agriculture (agri), see:

Agricultural production (apro)

Crops products (apro_cp)

Crop statistics (area, production and yield) (apro_acs)

Crop statistics (from 2000 onwards) (apro_acs_a)

External links

Selected datasets

Agriculture (t_agr), see:

Agricultural production (t_apro)

Crops products (t_apro_cp)

[1] The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission produces a series of monthly bulletins. ↑

[2] European Commission's Directorate- General of Agriculture and Rural Development: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/sugar/index_en.htm. ↑

[3] For further information, see the overview of the wine market from the European Commission's Directorate- General of Agriculture and Rural Development. ↑

[4] For further information see the plant health and biosecurity products pages of the European Commission. ↑

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]