EU Net Grain Importer So Far in 2018/19

The European Union (EU) has become a net importer of grain for the first time in more than a decade after drought cut their grain output, strong wheat export competition from Russia and record corn imports. As of December 16, the EU has imported 13.15 million metric tons of grain so far in 2018/19 against exports of 12.64 million metric tons, European Commission data showed. The last time the EU was a net grain importer was 2007/08, when the harvest was also damaged by drought. EU soft wheat exports so far in 2018/19 stand at 7.5 mmt as of December 16, down 25% from 9.9 mmt at the same stage of last season. Barley exports reached 2.5 mmt, down 1% from a year earlier. Meanwhile, corn imports stood at 9.9 mmt, up 41% from 7.0 mmt a year earlier.