Agriculture, Latvia, Markets and Companies

Winter crops in other regions have not been hit as hard by the snowless winter, nevertheless, almost every grain field in Latvia has been affected to a greater or lesser degree.

The center's Horticulture Department head Oskars Balodis told the Nozare.lv business portal that 2013 was yet another year when Latvia witnessed atypical weather conditions, but this year it will result in significant losses for farmers. It costs approximately EUR 100 to re-sow one hectare, he said.

Added to this cost should be the cost of work farmers did last fall. "Even the cold-resistant wheat has been destroyed in Zemgale; everywhere else in Latvia the situation is better on those farms where grain has been sown comparatively late and where grain crops more suited to the local climate were sown, although they produce smaller harvests," explained Balodis.

The survey has also found that 70 to 80% of winter canola has been destroyed in Latvia. Again, the worst situation is in Zemgale, where some farms will have to re-sow 100% of winter canola. Only about 10% of farms surveyed are in comparatively good situation in terms of winter canola fields.

The same goes for winter wheat – 60% to 70% of winter wheat crops has been destroyed, and only about 10% of farms surveyed are in comparatively good situation.

Likewise, approximately 70% of winter barley crops have been destroyed during the winter.

According to the Rural Consultancy and Education Center's experts, winter crops have survived the winter the best in Kurzeme and Latgale provinces.