Bulgaria expects wheat harvest of over 7 mln tons

This year, grain producers in Bulgaria expect a harvest of more than 7 million tons of wheat. This is evidenced by the forecasts of experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. However, grain prices this year are very low, and this worries Bulgarian farmers.

The wheat harvest this year is expected to be between 6.6 and 7.1 million tons. The forecast is based on statistical observations conducted in June by agronomists from the agricultural department in six regions of the country.

For comparison, according to operational data at the beginning of August last year, the wheat harvest was 6.4 million tons, which is almost 4% more than the year before. The forecast for this year was made long before the end of the harvest, and by now about 80% of the wheat sown area and more than 90% of barley have been harvested. The highest wheat yield is expected in the South-Eastern region – 653 kg / dka, the actual average yield at the moment exceeds 580 kg / dka. However, according to grain producers, the optimistic forecasts of agricultural experts are at odds with reality.

Due to unfavorable weather conditions, less wheat will be harvested this year than expected, they say, adding that the price is the biggest concern. This year, wheat is sold for almost 100 leva per ton cheaper than last year, and according to the chairman of the grain producers association, Ilya Prodanov, such a low price for wheat has not been seen in the last 15 years.

Tags: crop forecast, Bulgaria, wheat