A regional implementation of WOFOST for calculating yield gaps of autumn-sown wheat across the European Union

► Autumn-sown wheat yield gaps for the EU25 were calculated with CGMS (regional WOFOST). ► In parts of southern Europe simulated yields and crop characteristics were unrealistic. ► Unrealistic crop characteristics are mainly caused by wrong values of crop parameters. ► Yield gap is between 2 and 4 t ha−1 in the main parts of the EU25. ► With small changes CGMS is suitable to calculate yield gaps over Europe.