The EU27’s soyabean production area exceeded 1M ha for the first time, according to the latest European Commission (EC) estimates reported by the Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) on 18 May.
This figure represented a 9.5% year-on-year increase, UFOP said, with the EU soyabean area tripling in 12 years.
Italy and Germany recorded the largest increases in soyabean production, according to the report, but the soyabean area in Germany also experienced strong growth.
With an estimated production area of 295,000ha and a 15% year-on-year increase, Italy led the development, UFOP said, with France ranking second with 196,000ha and a comparatively lower expansion of 5%.
Romania was also growing significantly more soyabeans, with a 14% expansion of the area to 189,000ha, according to the report.
Ranked eighth in the EU with 37,000ha of soyabean area, Germany had also seen a 14% expansion, UFOP said.
