This year's grain harvest is higher than last year's

This year's cereal growing area is 362,000 hectares, which is one percent less than last year. Winter crops are grown on 207,000 hectares and summer crops on 155,000 hectares. The growing area of ​​winter cereals has been in an upward trend for several years and this time has increased by another 15% compared to last year. Just as in the past, winter wheat is the most cultivated of the winter cereals and summer barley is the most cultivated of the summer crops.

According to Statistics Estonia Statistikaamet. 's analyst Ege Kirs, the average grain yield is forecast to be 4,200 kg, while the yield of winter grains is traditionally higher than that of summer grains - the Estonian average for winter grains is 4,800 kg and for summer grains 3,400 kg per hectare. "Yields are lower than average in organic production, and they are also reduced by worn out and possibly unharvested surfaces," stated Kirs.

Legumes are grown on 49,000 hectares, and the average yield in Estonia can be 2,400 kg per hectare. As of September 15, both grain and legume fields were largely harvested. In contrast to cereals and pulses, the total amount of rapeseed and rapeseed per hectare is less than last year, but the growing area has increased and the yield is therefore expected to remain at a similar level to last year.

The potato growing area was 3,400 hectares in 2022, and it has almost halved in ten years. Among the area, there is also calculated production for own use in households. According to the forecast, the yield of potatoes per hectare per growing area is 20 tons, the yield varies significantly and the average is influenced by those who grow small areas for their own consumption. More than half of the potatoes had not been harvested as of September 15, and based on the data so far, the total harvest is estimated at 66,000 tons. This would be 7% less than last year.