The grain crop this year is expected to be 3.6 billion kilograms. Although the figure is the second smallest since 2000, it is still 20 percent more than last year. The largest crop since 2000 was harvested two years ago (4.3 billion kilograms) and the smallest last year (3.0 billion kilograms). The average yield per hectare is estimated to be slightly above the ten year average.

In general, the harvest outlook is better than last year, as a result of the favourable temperatures during the summer and the larger cultivation areas. There is some regional variation in the outlooks due to precipitation, which has ranged from drought to excessive rains. The expected quality also varies a lot in different parts of the country. Weather conditions during the remainder of the vegetation period will be decisive for the quantity and quality of the crops to be harvested.

Large wheat crop

The estimated total crops and yield per hectare of wheat and rye are still better than average, although the estimates have been lowered since July. The total wheat crop will probably amount to 935 million kilograms, and will be mainly spring wheat. The expected rye crop is 76 million kilograms, which is 7 million kilograms more than last year.

According to the harvest forecasts, the yields of barley, oats and mixed crops will also increase compared to last year. The current expectations are better than in July. The total harvest of barley will probably be 1.5 billion kilograms and of oats 1.0 billion kilograms. The estimated harvest of mixed crops is 53 million kilograms.

With a total crop of 132 million kilograms, turnip rape and rape are expected to give a better yield per hectare than last year.

Decrease of cultivation areas stopped

The area sown with grains increased about 94,000 hectares compared to last year. Therefore, the increase of total crops compared to 2010 is attributable to the increase of both cultivation areas and the yield per hectare. Although the cultivation area of grains did not decrease, it still remained at about 90 percent of the past ten years’ average area. Furthermore, the estimated total grain crop is 0.3 billion kilograms below the ten year average.

All grains are expected to give a normal or slightly better than average yield per hectare. As last year, the yield per hectare for winter crops, i.e. wheat and rye, was above average which makes the increased harvest volumes a result of larger cultivation areas. On the other hand, the increased volumes of barley and oats are a result of both a better yield per hectare and increasing cultivation areas.

The statistical tables are available on our Matilda agricultural statistics service on the home page of Preliminary Crop Production Statistics.

Further information

Tike, Information Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Actuary Sirpa Karppinen, puh. 020 77 21 341
Head of Statistics Unit Anneli Partala, puh. 020 77 21 376

The data is derived from Tike’s second preliminary crop estimate for this summer. The Tike crop estimates are based on estimates illustrating the situation on 25 August, 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 25 August 2011 when the data for the majority of areas was recorded.

Next crop production statistics (= preliminary statistics) will be published on November 24. At that time, the statistics will be based on harvest data reported by the farmers.