Czech grain harvest falls 16% due to drought and spring frosts

Grain production in the Czech Republic is estimated at 6.46 mln tons in 2026, down 16% from 7.69 mln tons last year. According to the Czech Statistical Office, the main reasons for the decline were spring frosts, drought, and high temperatures during the growing season, which negatively affected crop yields. Meanwhile, the total area planted with grains decreased by 2.1% to 1.186 mln ha.

Wheat traditionally accounts for the largest share of production, with this year’s harvest estimated at 4.43 mln tons, compared with 5.24 mln tons in 2025. Barley production fell by 16.5% to 1.55 mln tons from 1.85 mln tons a year earlier. Lower yields of these crops were among the main factors behind the overall decline in the country’s grain production.

The sharpest decline was recorded in oat production, with the harvest falling by almost half, from 271.7 thsd tons in 2025 to 137.7 thsd tons this season. Rye production declined to 108.1 thsd tons, compared with 112.1 thsd tons last year. Meanwhile, triticale was an exception among major grain crops, with production increasing to 236.7 thsd tons from 220 thsd tons a year earlier.

Unfavorable weather conditions also led to a significant decline in rapeseed production. According to the statistical office’s September estimate, the rapeseed harvest is expected to total around 803.4 thsd tons, compared with 1.02 mln tons in 2025, representing a decrease of approximately 21.4%. In addition, spring frosts, insufficient rainfall, and high temperatures negatively affected late-harvested crops, particularly corn, sugar beet, and potatoes.

Despite the overall deterioration in harvest results, the September grain production estimate was slightly higher than the July forecast of 6.39 mln tons.

Tags: grain, wheat, Czech Republic