Germany is expected to harvest 21.49 million tonnes of wheat this year, down 12 percent from 2017. The forecast production, 16 percent below the average of the past five years, reflects the impact of hot, dry spring weather that lowered yields and heavy autumn rain that reduced sowings. The crop estimate, which followed a field tour in Germany on July 2-6 and first released to Agritel clients on July 11, was close to a 21.53 million tonne forecast by the association of German farm cooperatives. The quality of the German wheat crop was expected to be very mixed, Agritel said, noting that northern and eastern regions could face problems with test weights - a key measure of milling quality - due to drought, while the south should see good crop quality. Severe weather in Germany and elsewhere in northern Europe has contributed to falling estimates for this year's European Union wheat harvest.