EU Soybean Area Hits Record 1 Million Hectares

The EU27’s soyabean production area crossed the 1 million hectare-mark 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) last month. The figure, estimated at 1.027 million hectares for the current year 2021, was 9.5% higher than prior year at 937,960 hectares.  UFOP said EU soyabean area has tripled in 12 years.
With an estimated production area of 295,000 hectares and a 15% year-on-year increase from 256,000 hectares, Italy led the development, UFOP said, with France ranking second with 196,000 hectares and a comparatively lower expansion of 5% from 186,000 hectares.  Romania was third with 189,000 hectares and a bigger growth of 14% from 165,000 hectares  The top three represented two-thirds of total EU27 soyabean area.