Grain
Wheat accounts for more than half of the grain grown in the EU. The remaining 50% is made up of maize and barley. Each of them accounts for about a third of this proportion by volume. The remaining one third is made up of cereals produced in small quantities, such as rye, oats and sorghum.
EU grain is mainly used for animal feed (almost two thirds), one third is for human consumption and only 3% is used for biofuels.
Protein crops and oilseeds
The main oilseeds grown in the EU are rapeseed (59%), followed by sunflower and soya. There are no specific support measures for oilseeds, of which two-thirds of annual European consumption is produced within the EU. However, EU imports account for around half of the oilseeds used annually for animal feed, for which importers duties are zero.
Oilseeds are used for food, animal feed, fuel and industrial purposes. Vegetable oils and fats are produced by grinding oilseeds. Vegetable oils are commonly used in the food industry and biodiesel production, while oilseed meal is an important source of animal feed.
The main protein crops in the EU are peas, beans, hula and lupins for animal feed – since 2012 there is no specific support for protein crops and import duties are zero.
Market monitoring
The EU Crop Production Market Observatory provides a range of data and information on the cereal, oilseed and protein crop sectors. Monitors and analyzes historical and current trends, production volumes, supply-demand balance, production costs and market outlook at global and European level.
The online data portal for the agri-food sector provides market data for agriculture at national and EU level. This includes, among others, methods, production, trade and tariff quotas.
