The forecast is the best in seven years but the amount harvested in the summer may differ. March yield indicates a total harvest of 6.5 million tons, 12% lower than in 2014, according to ZF’s calculations.
“The fields are looking good now but we’ll see how the weather will be,” says Belgian farmer Andy Behaegel of Agroaandy Srl, a 250-hectare farm in Timis County, adding that the plants came out of the winter well.
The final result depends on the weather over the next few months and the investments farmers will make in fertilizers and pesticides.
Weather and farmers’ investments can generate a 20% lower or 30% higher harvest.
In a worst case scenario yield should be 2.6-tons/ hectare and the harvest should reach 5.2 million tons and in a best case scenario the yield should be 4.2 tons/hectare and the harvest should reach 8.5 million tons.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)