September 8, 2010

Danish grain crop forecast down 14% on-year

The grain harvest of Denmark is predicted to be nearly 8.7 million tonnes in 2010, 14% less than last year's record high of 10.1 million tonnes but not as bad as earlier indications of a catastrophic harvest.

If the forecast from farming newspaper Landbrugsavisen is correct, the 2010 harvest will only be 0.2 tonnes smaller than the average in the period from 1990 to 2009.

"It looks as if the harvest-despite fear of the worst-will be ok," plant production consultant Ulla Plauborg told Landbrugsavisen.

Denmark is a producer of oats, barley, wheat and rye. Danish farmers have been hit by heavy rain during the harvest season. Due to high grain prices at present, the Danish grain harvest is estimated to be worth 10.8 billion Danish crown (US$1.85 billion) around 50% more than the 2009 harvest, Landbrugsavisen said.

The forecast is based on plant production consultants in 12 different locations in Denmark and the prognosis has always been within 3% of the final harvest since it was first compiled in 2006.