Harvest Estimates - September 2024
This year’s production of sugar beet is above-average, potato one is average
Publication Date: 25. 10. 2024
Product Code: 270150-24
The estimated potato harvest in the amount of 630 thousand tonnes is higher compared to the previous year thanks to enlargement of the area planted with potatoes (+9.8%); however, it does not reach a five-year average (−2.2%). The current per hectare yield slightly decreased, compared to the August estimate, from 28.02 tonnes per hectare (t/ha) to 27.70 t/ha (−1.2%).
This estimated poppy production in the amount of 29 thous. tonnes is significantly higher than in the previous year (+58.9%) thanks to both a larger sown area and a higher per hectare yield. Also the following will be harvested in higher amounts: soya (70 thous. tonnes; +10.8%) and green maize (8 231 thous. tonnes; +14.5%). On the other hand, lower production, year-on-year, is estimated as for the following: sunflower seed (43 thous. tonnes; −12.5%) and field peas for grain (95 thous. tonnes; −9.7%).
“The crop production with a later harvest date is, even despite this year’s extremely changeable weather, favourable. The enlargement of sown areas contributed to that to a considerable extent. Compared to the previous year, more potatoes, sugar beet, poppy, maize, and soya will be harvested. Conversely, the expected harvest of sunflower is lower,” Dagmar Pospíšilová from the Agricultural and Forestry Statistics Unit of the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) stated.
The estimated production of sugar beet in the amount of 4 435 thousand tonnes is, for the time being, by 15.7% higher, y-o-y, namely as a result of enlargement of its sown area. However, the course of the weather has a negative impact on the quality of tubers and their sugar content.
The expected harvest of grain maize in the amount of 565 thous. tonnes is by 11.3% higher, year-on-year. The September estimate confirmed a decrease in production of basic cereals by 8.4% to 6 848 thous. tonnes. Therefore, the total estimated harvest of cereals including grain maize is currently 7 412 thous. tonnes and it is by 7.2% lower, y-o-y.
According to this year’s latest estimate, the expected harvest (production) of rape slumped to the amount of 952 thous. tonnes; compared to the previous year, the harvest is by over a quarter lower (−27.3%).
For more detailed information on estimates of crop harvests see the Supplementary information to the News Release on Harvest estimates – September.