Prague, Czech Republic – The Czech Republic is grappling with a storage crisis as farmers find themselves without sufficient space to store their excess harvest. According to the Czech Statistical Office, this year’s grain harvest is expected to reach approximately seven million tons, representing an 8.1% decrease compared to the previous year. However, farmers are still burdened with up to a million tons of unsold grain from last year’s harvest, exacerbating the storage predicament.

The Czech Agricultural Union has been warning about this issue since April, highlighting that there is 40% more grain in storage compared to the previous year. The Union attributes this surplus to the import of grain from Ukraine, which has led to a halt in exports. The Czech Republic typically exports a significant portion of its grain production.

Vladimir Picha, spokesperson for the Czech Agricultural Union, cautioned that the country’s storage capacity, currently at approximately eight million tons, will prove inadequate. If this year’s harvest aligns with the projections from the Statistical Office, a million tons of grain will remain unsold due to the scarcity of storage space.

The initial estimate from the Czech Statistical Office attributes the lower yield this year to reduced hectare yields. Winter wheat is expected to decrease by 6.1% to 4.639 million tons, while spring barley is projected to decline by 15% to 957,000 tons. Winter barley is anticipated to drop by 4.4% to 718,000 tons, and spring wheat is predicted to plummet by 38.3% to 154,000 tons.

Triticale, a hybrid of rye and wheat, is forecasted to yield 2.5% less at 203,000 tons. Oats are projected to experience a 12.5% decrease, resulting in a harvest of 147,000 tons, while rye is expected to decline by 7.5% to 119,000 tons.

Despite the challenges, some crops are anticipated to yield higher volumes compared to the previous year. Rapeseed production is expected to increase by 4.9%, reaching 1.223 million tons. However, the situation remains uncertain, as further developments depend on weather conditions.

The storage crisis has underscored the necessity for improved planning and management of the country’s agricultural production. Addressing the challenges faced by farmers is crucial not only to prevent unsold produce but also to ensure the country’s food security in the long run.

Article by Prague Forum