July 26, 2010

Finland's grain production may be lowest in decade

Finland's grain production could be the worst in 10 years amid unfavourable weather shrinking sowing areas, according to Finland's Ministry of Agriculture.

The ministry said while it was too early to draw any final conclusions on the autumn harvest, grain crops could be up to 28% smaller than in 2009 at around 3.1 billion kg.

"The heavy local showers and hailstorms that took place during sowing both delayed sowing and changed many sowing plans completely," the ministry said in a statement.

"The heat wave in the last few weeks has both spurred and impeded the growth by drying the plant stands and leading even to forced ripening," it added.

It said the area sown to grain was some 16% smaller than last year, with both turnip rape and oilseed rape benefiting as a result.

The ministry's next harvest forecast update is due on September 2.