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- Sophie
AMITOM crop update as of 29 April 2026
Bulgaria
Conditions have been good to date and planting should finish next week. There is no change to the forecast. The cost of energy is worrying the industry.
Egypt
The winter crop was finished in the first week of April, and now we are in transition period till the start of summer crop which expected to be by end of May/beginning of June. The forecast remains the same so far.
France
The forecast is still uncertain as price and volume negotiations are still ongoing but expected to reduce to 150,000 tonnes probably with a reduction of conventional surfaces, while organics should increase, for a total of less than 2,000 hectares. The weather is not good as there have been a lot of rains throughout the winter and fields are still wet. Transplanting should have started this week but may be delayed to next week as it is currently windy and cold.
Greece
Conditions so far have been very good and about 60% of the surfaces have been planted in the Centre and 65% in the South. Some rains are expected for the weekend and could slow down plantings. Farmers should not be affected by the rise in costs of fertilizer for this season as most had been bought before the start of the conflict. The average price for the season is about 115 euros per tonne delivered, with variations for quality and between factories as there is no industry-wide agreement.
Hungary
Transplanting will begin at the weekend. Due to the drought, there will be pre-irrigation in most places. Yearly forecast remains unchanged.
Iran
No new data
Italy
In the North, the framework agreement on price was reached at the end of March with an average price of 137 euros per tonne ex field including premiums for late varieties and variations based on quality parameters. Contracts were all signed by 20 April and the contracted surfaces will be available at the end of April while the effective surfaces will be available at the end of June. Planting started in early April and should finish around 10-15 June. To date about 35% of the surfaces have been planted, which is normal. The weather is good and the plants are developing well.
In the Centre and South, the good news is that following heavy rains the Occhito dam is full at more than 200 million m3 for the first time in three years so there will be no issue with irrigation in Puglia this year. Transplanting was delayed but plants are developing well. All is going well in the other areas. Prices have not yet been agreed: the war has increased costs of energy and fertilizers making negotiations difficult. Another meeting is planned next week.
Current forecasts remain unchanged at 2.8 million tonnes for the south and 3 million for the north.
Portugal
Planting started two weeks late due to the wet winter but has been progressing well and 51% of the surfaces were expected to be planted at the end of this week. The weather has been quite good in the last four weeks but rain today could interrupt planting for a day or two. There are some concerns over fertilizers but it should be fine for this season.
Serbia
Transplanting started on 17 April and to date 115 ha (15% of total surface planned in Serbia) have been planted. The weather is rather good with temperatures between 16°C and 23°C, but some days morning are chilly at around 5˚ C, so plants are not growing. Nice warm weather is expected after the 1st of May. The forecast remains the same.
Spain
Planting operations have been running smoothly and on time in all regions as after a rainy winter the spring has been dry so far. In Extremadura about 60% of the surfaces have been planted to date, but rain is expected this week and may interrupt the activities for a day or two. In Andalusia planting should finish in about a week. No change in the forecast.
Tunisia
No new data
Turkey
There is no major changes from last meeting. Planting down south is now past half-way and it started this week in the Bursa area. It has been a wet April but the weather is clear and dry with a drop in temperatures for 2-3 days this week. We are still expecting a late crop and there is the possibility of an increase in surface area with late planting however it is still too early to say.
Fertilisers are not expecting to have an effect on the contract prices but transport cost may be affected in the season if the conflict effects carry on.
Ukraine
Transplanting was delayed by frost but started today.