Last year¿s cereal production was slightly smaller than the record yield of the previous year

In 2007 the cereal production of 880,000 tons was the largest during the last 16 years. In 2008 the cereal production was influenced by rainy harvesting period, which was the reason why particularly the spring crop production was smaller than expected.

Of the total cereal production, 65,700 tons of rye, 339,600 tons of wheat and 349,500 tons of barley were produced. Compared to 2007, the production of rye increased by 4,700 tons, the production of wheat and barley decreased by 6,200 tons and 13,200 tons, respectively. In 2008 cereals were sown on 309,100 hectares, the average yield per hectare was 2,790 kilograms, of which 3,076 kilograms of rye, 3,170 kilograms of wheat and 2,557 kilograms of barley.

The production of potatoes amounted to 125,400 tons, which was over a third less compared to 2007. Potatoes were sown on 8,700 hectares; the average yield of potatoes was 14,316 kilograms per hectare.

The production of rape and turnip rape seed totalled 110,000 tons, which was 27% less compared to 2007. Rape and turnip rape was sown on 77,700 hectares; the average yield per hectare was 1,416 kilograms of rape and turnip rape seed.

In autumn 2008, 41,000 hectares of winter wheat, 12,700 hectares of winter rye and 6,700 hectares of triticale were sown for harvesting of the year 2009.