19.05.2021 (biofuels-news.com) - The biggest increases in soybean production this year were recorded in Italy and Romania, according to current figures published by the EU Commission.

These were the two major soy-producing countries, but soybean production in Germany has also risen strongly.

According to estimates, the soybean production area in the EU-27 for harvest in 2021 for the first time exceeded 1 million hectares.

With an increase of 9.5% on the year and just about 12% on the long-term average, it has reached a new record level. The EU soybean area has tripled in 12 years.

Italy has taken the lead in this development with an estimated production area of 295,000 hectares and a strong increase of 15% over the previous year. France ranks second with 196,000 hectares and a comparatively lower expansion of 5%.

Romania is also growing significantly more soybeans, having expanded the area 14% to 189,000 hectares. Germany ranks eighth in the EU comparison with 37,000 hectares of soybean area, but has also seen a strong expansion in area of 14%.

The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) has welcomed this positive development as a result of continuously growing demand for GM-free soybean meal in all animal husbandry sectors. Soy is also used as a source of protein in the food market for a steadily expanding range of products.

https://biofuels-news.com/news/eu-soybean-production-areas-hit-record-level/