Czech Grain Harvest Seen 11.7 Pct Lower

The Czech Statistical Office says that grain production in the country in 2009 will fall 11.7% on last year to 6.622 MMT.

This decrease is caused by both lower sowing areas of basic cereals and lower yields, they say. Forthcoming harvest has also been influenced by the weather, a cold May followed by a June with high precipitation. In comparison with last year it is worth taking into account that the years 2008 and 2004 were the most productive in the history of the Czech Republic, they add.

Winter wheat production, which accounts for 31.2% of planted area, is seen down 10.9% at 3.984 MMT, despite the sown area of winter wheat increasing by 33 thousand ha in comparison with 2008. Lower yields of 5.02 MT/ha are expected, down 0.86 MT/ha on 2008, are responsible for the expected decrease.

Production of spring barley which accounts for 12.6 % of total planted area of agricultural crops, is estimated in an amount of 1.334 MMT, down by 250,000 MT or 15,8% on 2008.

Spring wheat production this year should reach 147,000 MT, they say.

Production of rape (which accounts for 13.9% of total sown area) is expected at 997,000 MT, 5% lower than in 2008.