After 2 extremely dry months, the situation in Poland is becoming increasingly serious. However, there is no official drought yet. After an extremely wet autumn and winter, farmers in all parts of the country had to deal with a very dry spring. The precipitation deficit has thus risen to an average of 70 millimeters.
The government agency IUNG, the Polish Institute for Soil Research and Plant Health, monitors the amount of soil moisture in the country (at almost 2.500 measuring points). Despite 2 dry months, there is no official drought status yet. For this, at least a 20% yield reduction must be achieved (based on a moisture deficiency).
The average moisture deficit increased to 70 millimeters at the end of May. In the extreme case, this is already more than 100 millimeters. These are areas in northeastern Poland. There is slightly more moisture available in the center and southeast.
Dry spring
In March, the amount of precipitation in the country varied widely. It differed from 5 and 10 millimeters to 40 and 60 millimeters. That is 100% of the norm. March was also very cold on average. April was actually extremely warm, which caused an explosion of growth in the crops in a short time. The sowing and planting season therefore proceeded at a very rapid pace. During the month of April, the north received sufficient water, but elsewhere it remained mainly dry.
The month of May is again a very dry month for Polish farmers. In extreme cases, precipitation does not exceed 1 millimeters in 5 month. The maximum is 50 millimeters, especially in the south and southeast. However, the rain fell very locally and did not bring relief everywhere.
Bad autumn
According to insiders, the crops are now suffering greatly from a lack of precipitation. In addition, much winter grain and rapeseed was sown last autumn under poor conditions. The plants have not developed properly and are therefore more sensitive to drought stress. However, according to the IUNG, there has not yet been a major loss of yield.
In the latest MARS report, the European Commission does adjust crop yields downwards (by 4% to 5%). A lower yield is expected, especially for rapeseed, partly due to the erratic spring. The plants developed very quickly, but did not develop enough pods. This also applies to winter wheat. In the current flowering period, the crop needs water for grain filling.
Potatoes
Crops such as potatoes, onions and carrots could also use a drink of water. Yet damage from drought is not yet immediately noticeable here, insiders say. The Polish economic institute IERiGÅ» expects that mainly early potatoes will be affected.
Meanwhile, growers are winding down the worst year in 10 years. The market is currently fed by imported potatoes from Cyprus and Egypt. Market prices are €5 to €8 per 100 kilos. Extremely low prices have ensured that potato growers have taken to the streets.
Germany
It is very dry not only in Poland, but also in the northern states of Germany. The situation there is even more dire. The south-west of the country is experiencing a lot of flooding and heavy hailstorms. Severe weather also struck there on Tuesday, May 29. The residents of Lower Saxony are being called on by the local government not to irrigate their gardens and not to wash cars. The drought even causes problems with the drinking water supply.
According to the local farmer advocate, the potato crops are suffering considerably. When yields actually turn out to be significantly lower, this is for the second year in a row. In 2017, excessive rainfall resulted in low yields. Yield losses due to the drought are also expected in the southern states of Bavaria and Thuringia.
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