This year's grain and technical crop yield is estimated at 21.2 million tonnes, a volume almost three times bigger than last year's, when a harvest of 8.6 million tonnes was reported, according to the data released by the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry.
"At the beginning of each year county offices release forecasts for the year ahead, on the basis of which we plan production. However, an estimate on the autumn harvest cannot be made before the end of May, and even later for spring crops," stated Elena Tatomir, director of the vegetal production department of the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry.
Farmers also think the authorities' projections are ambitious, and believe it is much too early to forecast increases. Despite being sceptical about such a high increase farmers are sure the volume of agricultural products will be at least 50% higher this year.
The main factors expected to bolster production are the high volume of rainfall registered since last autumn, the favourable temperatures, as well as the massive investments farmers operated during last summer's drought.
According to the projections of the Agriculture Ministry, sunflower crops are expected to boast the biggest increase, of almost 150%, with a total production of 1.6 million tonnes being estimated for the 2008 harvest, from just 539,000 tonnes in 2007.
Average output per hectare is expected to reach 1.8 tonnes, higher than last year, when it hit 0.6 tonnes/hectare. The land used to cultivate sunflowers stands at 867,000 hectares, up 8% on 2007.
Harvested corn is expected to increase by two and a half times, with total output estimated to reach 10 million tonnes, from 3.9 million tonnes last year. Given that the area allocated to this crop stands at 2.6 million tonnes this year, estimated average production stands at 3.7 tonnes/hectare, an increase of 52% on 2007.
Wheat production is forecast to reach a volume of 7 million tonnes this year, more than double the 2007 volume. Average production per hectare is forecast to stand at 3.2 tonnes, given the total area used to cultivate wheat stands at 2.1 million hectares.
Agriculture Ministry data also shows that rapeseed crops have posted the fastest growth rate since 1995. Rapeseed production will amount to 885,000 tonnes, up 130% from 2007. Compared with last year, average output has doubled and reached almost 2 tonnes/hectare.
Soybean is the only crop whose area shrank against last year, from 113,000 hectares, to 103,000 hectares. However, average production is expected to reach 2 tonnes/hectare, double the 2007 figure. Barley and two-row barley will also see production go up significantly in 2008.
A richer harvest, due to favourable weather conditions, is likely to cut current grain prices in half, whilst agricultural players believe a price crisis, like the one experienced in previous years, is no longer possible.
Grain output
This year's grain and technical crop production is estimated at 21.2 million tonnes, a volume almost 3 times bigger than last year's, when a harvest of 8.6 million tonnes was reported
Despite being sceptical about such a high increase, farmers are positive the volume of agriculture products will be at least 50% higher this year
A bigger harvest, due to favourable weather conditions, could cut current grain prices in half
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