2020 Finland oat planting forecast up 9% YOY but expectations of below-average yields could see oat production drop in 2020

Finnish Statistical Group (LUKE) released its latest seeded areas estimates for major crops in Finland.

Area seeded to oats is estimated at 348,000 Ha, up 9% from 2020, and if realized, would be 3% above the five-year average. Using five-year average area abandonment would see 2020 harvested area of 310,000 MT (see above). 

Based on the current harvested area estimates and a 2% drop in yields from the average would produce a 2020 oat crop of 1.057 MMT, down 9.6% compared with 2019 but 5% above the five-year average (see S&D pg. 2).

Oat yields in 2019 came in 13% above average and given the periods of dryness this growing season in major oat regions, the below-average 2020 oat yields will more than offset the area gains.