Poland planted 4,4 million ha grains, 10 % less than last year. Crops suffered from winterkill. As per press reports there are problems as well in the Czech Republic, Serbia, Romania. The Romanian government suggested to farmers to grow less barley in favour of higher value crops. And in Hungary it was recommended to plant maize instead of barley, as the planting season is late this year. It is especially dangerous for the quality of malting barley, if seeding is followed too fast by warm and dry summer weather

18 April, 2003