January 24, 2013

Hungary's 2012 main crop production decreases significantly

In 2012, Hungary produced 25% less cereals on a 2% larger area than in the previous year, while wheat production decreased by 3% compared to 2011 and the production of all main crops harvested in autumn was lower than in the previous year.

About 4,741,000 tonnes of corn were harvested, which is one of the lowest production figures in the past few years. The primary reason for the decrease was unfavourable weather conditions.

In 2012, 3% less wheat (nearly four million tonnes) was harvested from a 9% larger area (1,063,000 hectares) than one year earlier. The average yield was 3,740 kilogrammes/hectare.

Corn was harvested from a 3% smaller area (1,190,000 hectares) than in 2011. The production of 4,741,000 tonnes remained 41% lower than in the previous year, the average yield (3,980 kilogrammes/hectare) decreasing by 39%.

The 17,000-hectare harvested area of sugar beet was 14% larger, while its production (759,000 tonnes) was 11% less than in 2011, due to the 22% decline of the average yield (44,100 kilogrammes/hectare).

In case of sunflower the harvested production was 1,302,000 tonnes, 5% less on a 5% larger area (607,000 hectares) than in 2011. The average yield (2,150 kilogrammes/hectare) was 9% lower than a year earlier.

In case of rapeseed, 401,000 tonnes were produced, 24% less than in 2011, on a 29% smaller area (167,000 hectares) than in the previous year. The average yield (2,400 kilogrammes/hectare) grew by 7% compared to 2011.