December 21, 2009

Poland's grain production picks up despite bad weather

Total grain production in Poland rose 7.8% to 29.8 million tonnes in 2009 despite unfavourable weather during the season.

Rapeseed production rose 17.8% to 2.5 million tonnes and sugar beet output rose 7.5% to 9.4 million tonnes, according to the statistics office.

The total area with grains sowed was 8.6 million hectares, down 0.2% from last year, and the average yield increased 8.1% from 2008 to 3.48 tonnes per hectare.

Poland had experienced bad weather throughout the season, with recurring rains causing too much humidity in the soil, leading to fungal diseases and grain lodging.

In 2008, Poland harvested 27.7 million tonnes of grain, including 2.1 million tonnes of rapeseed.