This year's sugar beet crop is above average, potatoes average

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According to the harvest estimates as of 30 September, the potato (+9.8 %), poppy (+58.9 %), soybean (+10.8 %), grain maize (+11.3 %) and green maize (+14.5 %) crops are expected to be higher year-on-year. In contrast, yields of sunflower seed or peas for grain are expected to be lower (-12.5 %; respectively -9.7 %).

Estimated harvest potato 630 thousand tonnes is higher than last year (+9.8 %) due to the expansion of the planted area, but below the five-year average (-2.2 %). The current hectare yield is slightly down on the August estimate, from 28.02 t/ha to 27.70 t/ha (-1.2 %).

Estimated harvest Poppy 29 thousand tonnes is significantly higher year-on-year (+58.9 %) due to the expansion of the sown area and higher yields per hectare. Soya beans (70 thousand tonnes; +10.8 %) and corn on the green (8231 thousand tonnes; +14.5 %). On the contrary, the production estimate is lower year-on-year sunflowers to seed (43 thousand tonnes;-12,5 %) or field peas for grain (95 thousand tonnes; -9.7 %).

"The harvest of crops with a later harvest date is favourable, despite this year's extremely variable weather. The expansion of the sown area has contributed to a large extent. Potatoes, sugar beet, poppies, maize and soya beans are all up year-on-year. By contrast, the sunflower crop is expected to be lower," said Dagmar Pospíšilová from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry Statistics of the Czech Statistical Office.

Harvest estimate sugar beet 4435 thousand tonnes is 15.7 % higher year-on-year so far, mainly due to the expansion of the sown area. However, the weather has a negative impact on the quality of the pulses and their sugar content.

Estimated harvest maize for grain 565 thousand tonnes is 11.3 % higher compared to last year. The September estimate confirmed the decline in the harvest basic cereals by 8.4 % to 6848 thousand tonnes. Total estimated harvest cereals including grain maize thus currently stands at 7,412 thousand tonnes and is 7.2 % lower year-on-year.

This year's latest estimate also specified a drop in the harvest canola to 952 thousand tonnes. Compared to last year, the harvest is more than a quarter lower (-27.3 %).

More detailed information on crop yield estimates can be found in in the RI supplementary information Harvest estimates - September.

CSO/ gnews - RoZ

ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTO - pixabay, gnews