August 28, 2012

Heavy rainfall reduces Norway's grain harvest

Norwegian grain farmers see their crops reduced by too much rain while farmers in many parts of the world are suffering from drought this year.

Representatives for the grain farmers estimate that the harvest this year will be around 7% below the average for the last five years. And if the rain does not stop very soon, the result could be even worse.

This would mean that Norway will have to import around 50% of the food grain needed for the coming year. The normal import level is 30-40%.

The cold and wet summer is blamed, together with a poor harvest also last year.

"It has been tough being a grain farmer these last three years", said Svein Stubberud from Vestby, southeast of Oslo.

"Many have already given up, while we who are left will just have to hope for better harvests in the coming years", he added.