Romania. Heatwave brings more damage for corn and sunflower seed

Over the last two weeks the heatwave brought significant damages to spring crops, according to reports of local media. Last week in Neamt county the temperature exceeded 40° C for several days in a row and burnt corn.

This turned positive corn yield outlook (10-12 mt/ha) into ruin. In case of the rain, only small part of corn area can be saved as at some fields corn plants stand totally dried out.

Situation is less frustrating for sunseed as at some fields the yields are still expected to be average and plants are at the stage of grain formation. Farmers of the county expect to start sunseed harvesting on August 15, which is earlier than usual terms (September 1) due to the faster plants development.

Sunseed gained USD 10/mt over the week to USD 453/mt FOB Constanta as there is tough competition for this crop on the local market between crushers and exporters. The price is USD 10/mt lower y/y and may soon reach the last year level, considering the temperature forecasts.

However, heavy rainfall expected the week of July 22-26 all over Romania may bring some temporary relieve for the spring crops.