Poland 2009 crop conditions improve from 2008

Poland's winter grain and rapeseed crops are in better shape this year than in 2008 as the winter weather didn't damage plantings, Poland's Central Statistical Office, or GUS, said Monday (April 27).

In its first overall assessment of 2008 crops based on field surveys conducted in early and late March, GUS also estimated that due to favourable spring weather vegetation of plantings restarted in late March and early April.

Improved crop conditions may be vital to a good harvest, which, in turn, could be a key factor in slowing food prices in the second half of the year.

The final estimate of winter and spring damage to crops is carried out by GUS in May.