An EU agricultural commodity outlook 2011/2012 has been published by the European Commission. This publication follows the announcement of Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian Cioloş at the G-20 agricultural ministers meeting in June 2011. In addition, the European Parliament debated with the Commissioner the EU farm policy after 2013. In general terms, MEPs approves the CAP reform proposed, but with reservations.

Following the announcement of Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian Cioloş at the G-20 agricultural ministers meeting in June 2011, the Commission has now published for the first time a short term outlook for main agricultural commodity markets. The report is based on analyses of market experts within the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission and it will be published three times a year.

According to the report, cereals balance is expected to remain relatively tight with a 2011 production of 275 million tonnes in the EU. Oilseeds production is expected to decrease by 2.2% in 2011. Meat production, boosted by good exports in 2010, is expected to continue the trend in 2011 and then decrease slightly in 2012. Total EU milk production is forecast to reach almost 151 million tonnes in 2011 and remain similar in 2012. The short term outlook for arable crop, meat and dairy markets in the EU includes information and data available until 15 September 2011.

On the other hand, Dacian Cioloş, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development debated with MEPs the draft reform of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2013 presented by the Commission on 12 October. MEPs welcomed the proposals with reservations, calling for more cuts in red tape, fairer distribution of EU funding, questioning greening measures and applauding plans to increase innovation spending.