In the EU, the reduction will be 2% to 25.9 million hectares due to wet conditions in the Nordic countries, which prevented to complete sowing in optimum period. In the Baltic States and in Germany, the area sown fell by 5%. The experts noted the persisting soil drought in Italy and Spain.

Due to adverse weather conditions during the autumn sowing, sown area of wheat in Russia is projected to be below initial expectations for 1% level of 26.5 million hectares. Despite the lack of snow cover level in the Central and southern regions, the temperature regime did not pose a danger to crops.

In the United States is expected to decrease acreage of winter wheat of the fifth season in a row. However, given the frost damage in January after several months of dry weather conditions in the United States have the potential to increase the area under spring wheat. Thus, the total sowing area could increase by 2.2% per year to 15.5 million hectares.

In Canada the area sown to winter wheat declined by 11%. This trend marks the 13th consecutive season, but in the General structure of crops of winter wheat is only 90%. Sowing of spring wheat and durum will begin in may. The size of the cultivated area in the spring will depend on the prices closer to planting season. However, experts predict a rise in the area under spring wheat that will eventually lead to an increase in area of 0.2% to 9 million hectares.

Photo: mirtesen.org.ru