Latvia Faces Subpar Harvest as Relentless Rainfall Decimates Crop Quality
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A widespread inability to harvest grains due to persistently wet fields, coupled with significantly diminished grain quality, is threatening Latvia’s autumn harvest. According to assessments from the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Center (LLKC) conducted in August, at least 20% of the anticipated yield has already been lost, with the situation varying drastically across the country’s regions.
The prolonged rainfall throughout Latvia has severely hampered crop development and delayed harvesting efforts. Winter harvest commenced two weeks later than the previous year, though warmer temperatures accelerated ripening in some areas. Winter barley was the first crop gathered in the Zemgale region, followed by winter rape in Zemgale and Kurzeme. However, harvesting in Vidzeme and Latgale proved challenging, with many fields remaining too saturated and crops failing to mature fully.
Regional Disparities in Winter Wheat Harvest
The situation is most favorable in Zemgale, but concerns regarding grain quality are universal. “In Zemgale, the winter harvest situation is the best – most winter wheat is there,” stated a senior LLKC crop consultant. “However, everyone is worried about grain quality, especially the low grain volume, which means that the grain is lighter and detailed, reducing yields by around 20%.”
Harvest progress varies significantly by region. Zemgale is nearing completion of its winter wheat harvest, while Kurzeme is approximately 60-70% complete. In contrast, Vidzeme and Latgale have only harvested around 40-60% of their winter wheat acreage. Farmers in the Gulbene area reported only four days suitable for intensive harvesting.
Despite some winter wheat samples meeting food-grade protein and gluten standards, the low volume disqualifies much of the harvest. As a result, an estimated 85-90% of the winter wheat currently being harvested across all regions is classified as feed-grade. The average winter wheat yield is currently projected at 4.8 tonnes per hectare.
Winter Rape and Rye Face Significant Challenges
Winter rape harvesting is largely complete in Zemgale, with approximately 80% harvested in Kurzeme. Progress in Vidzeme and Latgale lags behind, at 50-60% completion. Reports indicate instances of lodging – where crops fall over – and stem smutter lesions, further reducing seed quality. The average yield for winter rape is estimated at 2.5 tonnes per hectare.
Rye harvesting has also been impacted by the adverse weather conditions. Strong rains and winds have caused lodging, hindering harvest efforts and diminishing grain quality. Weeds have also proliferated in many fields, complicating the process. The anticipated average yield for winter rye is 4.4 tonnes per hectare.
Summer Crops at Risk
The planting of summer crops – wheat, barley, and oats – has also begun across Latvia. Early-sown summer crops benefited from a stronger root system and greater harvest potential. However, later sowings, subjected to prolonged moisture, are struggling to establish themselves, resulting in weaker plants, shorter ears, and reduced productivity.
Soil moisture levels in Zemgale and Kurzeme proved optimal for timely sowings, fostering stronger plant development. Conversely, regions like Vidzeme and Latgale experienced weed growth due to the inability to perform necessary sowing care work. This resulted in shorter ears, fewer grains per ear, and lower grain quality.
There is a substantial risk of significant losses for summer crops in Vidzeme, with up to 35% potentially unharvestable due to rainfall. In Latgale, summer wheat and barley fields are being overtaken by weeds, threatening the entire harvest. “In Latgale this year, the plants were root rot, pronounced whitewater, the grains in the wet areas, the grains have not developed and the ears are empty,” explained a crop consultant from LLKC Preili KB. “The fields will not be collected by the summer, because the summer wheat and barley will be overgrown with the summer.”
Potato Harvest Also Compromised
The potato harvest is also facing significant challenges. Delayed planting times in Latgale and Vidzeme, combined with excessive moisture, have led to poor plant development, increased susceptibility to rot, and smaller tuber sizes. Rotting potatoes are further jeopardizing initial yield forecasts and impacting long-term storage potential.
2023/2024 Harvest Forecasts
Based on farm inspections across all regions, the LLKC has compiled the following harvest forecasts:
- Summer wheat: 3.4 tonnes per hectare
- Summer barley: 2.9 tonnes per hectare
- Oats: 2.8 tonnes per hectare
- Buckwheat: 0.8 tonnes per hectare
- Summer rape: 1.2 tonnes per hectare
- Potatoes: 17 tonnes per hectare
The Latvian agricultural sector faces a difficult autumn as it grapples with the consequences of relentless rainfall and its devastating impact on crop yields and quality.
