Less and less spring cereals in Poland

Poland's recent harvest data reveals a shift in its cereal cultivation, with a decrease in spring wheat and triticale but an increase in winter barley and a rise in the cultivation of alternative crops like peas and soybeans. Spring barley, wheat, and triticale have seen notable declines, with spring barley being sown on a smaller area for several years. Oats remain the exception, with the spring form dominating. This change in farming practices is indicated by a decrease in spring cereals from 1.23 million hectares in 2021 to 1.06 million hectares in 2023, slightly offset by an increase in the area of oats.

Less spring wheat In the year just ending, wheat was harvested in Poland from over 2.36 million ha. Spring wheat accounted for only slightly over 7% of the entire wheat area (less than 170 thousand ha). If we were to assume its share in yield, it would probably be an even smaller share (due to its lower yield potential). Just 4 years ago, the share of spring wheat in the total wheat sown area was larger. For example, in 2021, this grain was harvested in Poland from over 2.364 million ha, and at that time the spring form accounted for 9% of the total wheat sown area. Nevertheless, the differences are small. Winter wheat has a higher yield potential and is the first choice. Spring varieties are rather treated as "emergency". The graph below clearly shows how small a share in the structure of cereal sowings is made up of spring forms. The exception is oats, where winter wheat accounts for only a small percentage. The spring form of triticale has an even smaller share in the area of ...