BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — The European Union’s wheat and maize estimates were lowered in the latest European Commission monthly supply and demand data, though supplies of the grains were increased on the strength of imports, Reuters reported.

For soft wheat, EU production was estimated at 125.3 million tonnes, down from 126.1 million forecast a month ago and slightly below last year's harvest of 125.7 million. 

Output for maize, harvested mostly in the fall, was lowered to 59.8 million tonnes, well above last year’s drought-hit 52.1 million tonnes, though a continued downward revision from last month’s projection of 61.7 million and July’s 63 million.

Projected EU soft wheat imports in the 2023-24 marketing year were increased to 6.5 million tonnes from 4 million, while EU maize imports in 2023-24 were raised to 20 million tons from 17 million.

The import numbers led the Commission to increase 2023-24 ending stocks for soft wheat to 17.8 million tonnes, up from 16.3 million last month, and maize to 17.8 million tonnes from 17.3 million.

The barley forecast continued to fall as well, with the Commission cutting a further 200,000 tonnes from last month’s projection to 48.4 million tonnes in its latest report. Last year the EU harvested 51.5 million tonnes of barley.

The Commission kept its 2023-24 export forecasts unchanged for soft wheat at 32 million tonnes and barley at 10 million tonnes.