With an estimated 3.5 billion kilograms, this year’s grain crops will be considerably better than last year’s, although it will not reach 2009’s yield (4.1 billion kilograms). There will be an approximate 30 per cent drop from last year’s record-breaking turnip rape crop.

This summer, the average weather conditions have been favourable to crops, although there has been considerable regional variation, even between neighbouring municipalities due to, for example, local showers. Weather conditions during the remainder of the vegetation period may still affect the crops to be harvested.

The harvest outlook is for the most part normal, with an increase of 0.5 billion kilograms from last year, which almost reaches the average yield for the past ten years. The area sown to grain is 10 per cent larger than last year, and it is estimated that the yield per hectare will increase by 25 per cent.

Record-breaking wheat crop
The harvest outlook for wheat is good, with a predicted increase of 33 per cent from last year to 960 million kilograms. If the estimates hold true, the wheat crop will be the largest ever harvested in Finland. The rye crop continues to grow by 10 million kilograms from last year, reaching a level of almost 80 million kilograms.

According to current estimates, the crop of feed grain, referring to the total yield of barley, oats and mixed crops, will also increase by 13 per cent from last year. The barley crop is expected to increase by more than 100 million kilograms and the oats crop by almost 200 million kilograms. The harvest outlook for mixed crops is a little lower than last year.

The total turnip rape crop will drop somewhat as the area sown to turnip rape is 45 per cent smaller than last year, amounting to 77,000 hectares. Nevertheless, the crops per hectare rate is expected to be better and should amount to 110 million kilograms.

A table relating to the statistics has been published in Matilda agricultural statistics.

Further information
Tike, Information Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Actuary Sirpa Karppinen, tel. 020 77 21 341
Production Manager Esa Katajamäki, tel. 020 77 21 237

The data is derived from Tike’s first preliminary crop estimate for this summer. The Tike crop estimates are based on estimates illustrating the situation on 15 July, created by the local experts of ProAgria Centres in their own areas. The municipality-specific estimates are based on visual observations and local expertise. The data on the areas under specific crop varieties have been obtained from financial support application forms submitted by farmers. The data is from the support register on 15 July 2011 when the data for the majority of areas was recorded.

The next preliminary crop estimate illustrating the situation of 25 August will be published on 1 September.