Bulgaria: 2006 barley crop down 27% at 482.8 KMT

Bulgaria reaped 482.8 KMT of barley this year, slightly above plan but nearly 27% down from 2005, owing to a cold snap that destroyed sowings, UkrAgroConsult published in its 29th Weekly report for the week ended July 24.

The ministry cut in June its initial 2006 barley crop forecast of 506 KMT to 465 KMT after an inspection of sowings ahead of harvesting showed that unusually cold weather in January has destroyed more sowings than earlier estimated.

The average yield was 2.9 t/ha this year after harvesting was completed on 92.33% of sown area.
The ministry affirmed its outlook on this year's wheat harvest of around 3.05 MMT, down from 3.48 MMT harvested in 2005. Unfavorable weather conditions and cut in area sown to wheat were the major reasons for the lower expectations for the 2006 wheat harvest.

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