This year, Romania will register the lowest corn production since 2007 until now, the pedological drought reducing the harvest by approximately 40pct-50pct compared to previous years, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Petre Daea told Agerpres.
He added that the production obtained will ensure domestic consumption, there is also an availability for export, without mentioning for now the total amount of grain maize obtained in 2022.
The Minister of Agriculture argued that he would announce the exact amount obtained by farmers in 2022, „when the last amount of corn to be harvested in the field is put into the barn,” however he pointed out that it is the lowest corn production that has been obtained in recent years after Romania’s integration in the European Union.
„I won’t disclose the total production, I said it very clearly, except when the last amount of corn which is to be harvested in the field is put into the barn, so that we can provide correct inform. When the harvest is finished, then I shall announce the exact amount which the farmers obtained and which Romania can announce both in the European statistical data and for the correct information of the public opinion in the country. I can tell you in percentages: it is lower by 40pct-50pct than in previous years. We shall see how we stand at European level at the end of the corn harvest. In any case, it is the lowest corn production that has been obtained in the last years after the integration into the European Union (EU), i.e. since 2007. The drought phenomenon was seen not only at the level of Romania, unfortunately, it left its mark on the productions of many European countries. All European states are confronted with difficulties generated by drought. Climate change is a reality, which is why we are also seeking solutions in this direction in order to support the Romanian farmers,” Agriculture Minister Petre Daea said.
In respect to the the total production of sunflower seeds, Daea underscored that a quantity of over two million tons was obtained, double the amount needed for Romania’s consumption.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) official mentioned that the 2021/2022 agricultural year was a difficult one, which put Romanian farmers to the test, taking into account that „the pedological drought has taken over the entire country.”
In his opinion, the wheat was less affected than the crops sowed in the spring, and in the irrigated perimeters and in the areas where rain fell, the crops were saved and „the productions that the farmers hoped for” were obtained.
According to the data of the National Institute of Statistics (INS), last year, Romania ranked 1st in the EU in terms of the area cultivated with corn, as well as in terms of production, with 2.493 million hectares, namely 14,820,693 tons, an increase of 4,724. 004 tons compared to 2020. The average production obtained last year was 5,802 kg/ha, higher by 1,825 kg/ha than in 2020. The corn domestic consumption is estimated to approximately 7 million tons.
Regarding wheat, the INS data show that in 2021, Romania ranked 4th in the EU in terms of the cultivated area, but also in terms of production, with 2.175 million hectares, 10,433,751 tons, respectively. The total production was higher by 4,041,382 tons compared to 2020, and the average by 1,831 kg/ha, totaling 4,797 kg/ha. The wheat domestic consumption is estimated to 2.5 – 3 million tons.
In terms of the sunflower production, since 2015, Romania has consistently ranked 1st in the European Union, but also in terms of the cultivated area, and the seed export potential is a significant one, taking into account that the internal consumption requirement totalizes only 750,000 tons.
Therefore, in 2021, a total production of 2,843,531 tons was recorded, an increase by 720,666 tons compared to 2020 and a yield of 2,530 kg/ha (+672 kg/ha compared to the previous year).
Agerpres
