Rain came too late to rescue EU summer crop yields, MARS says

PARIS, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Crop-monitoring service MARS on Monday lowered its yield forecasts for maize and sugar beet in the European Union, saying rainfall had returned too late to reverse damage from summer heat and drought in the bloc.

In a monthly report, MARS estimated the EU's 2026 grain maize yield at 6.50 metric tons per hectare, down 9% from 7.14 t/ha in 2025 and 8% below the five-year average.

It cut its EU sugar beet yield forecast to 67.4 t/ha, down 17% from last year and 11% below the five-year average.

"Rainfall starting in mid-August came too late to reverse earlier summer crop losses but was beneficial for the sowing of winter cereals," MARS said.

"South-western and south-eastern Europe received little rainfall, and dry soils continue to constrain potatoes and sugar beet and increasingly affect winter rapeseed establishment," it said.

MARS also said excess rain in the Baltic countries was hampering harvesting and fieldwork.

In other crops, MARS raised its EU yield estimates for spring barley to 4.81 t/ha, against 4.78 t/ha last month, but still down 11% from last year.

Sunflower yields were put at 1.96 t/ha, up from 1.92 t/ha in August and 5% above 2025.