The EU has imported a net 13.15 million metric tonnes (mt) of grain as of 16 December for the 2018-2019 season, compared with 12.64 million mt of net exports in the same period last year. In addition, the European Union is importing about 1.45 mln tonnes of cereals from other countries and regions during the current season (April-October), which was up by almost 1 mln tonnes, or European Commission data showed that so far soft wheat exports fell 25% YoY to 7.5 million mt, barley exports declined 1% to 2.5 million mt, and maize imports rose 41% to 9.9 million mt.
The EU has imported a net 13.15 million metric tonnes (mt) of grain as of 16 December for the 2018-2019 season, compared with 12.64 million mt of net exports in the same period last year. The hot, dry summer that damaged domestic wheat crops, competition from Russian exports and record maize imports tipped the EU into deficit for the first time in over a decade. European Commission data showed that so far soft wheat exports fell 25% YoY to 7.5 million mt, barley exports declined 1% to 2.5 million mt, and maize imports rose 41% to 9.9 million mt.